Primary Care Physicians In Japan Research Articles

Collaborative Care Models of Primary Care Clinics for People with Early-Stage Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Primary Care Physicians in Japan

Collaborative Care Models of Primary Care Clinics for People with Early-Stage Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Primary Care Physicians in Japan

Primary care physicians working in rural areas provide a broader scope of practice: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundScope of practice (SoP) is an important factor for primary care physicians (PCPs). One of the strong determinants of SoP is rurality. Although Japan has several rural areas, the SoP in rural areas and the effect of rurality on SoP have not been investigated. This study aimed to describe SoP in Japanese primary care settings and examine the association between rurality and SoP.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included PCPs in Japan. The participants were randomly sampled from the mailing list of the Japan Primary Care Association. The Scope of Practice Inventory (SPI) and Scope of Practice for Primary Care (SP4PC) were used as indicators of SoP. The Rurality Index for Japan (RIJ) was used for rurality. This study compared the number of items of SPI (total score, inpatient care, urgent care and ambulatory care) and SP4PC experienced by > 80% of all PCPs in the most urban (RIJ:1–10) and rural areas (RIJ: 91–100). A multivariable linear regression analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between the RIJ and SPI/SP4PC.ResultsOf 1,000 potential participants, 299 physicians responded to the survey (response rate: 29.9%). PCPs in the most rural areas experienced a greater number of items in the inpatientl/urgent care domains of the SPI and SP4PC than those in the most urban areas. The RIJ was the only common factor for a broader SoP in both the SPI and SP4C models. The coefficients of SoP were 0.09 (95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.16) in the SPI model and 0.017 (0.005–0.03) in the SP4PC model.ConclusionRurality was considerably associated with SoP. The findings of this study will be helpful in understanding the SoP on rural and urban areas.

Questionnaire survey of geriatricians and primary care physicians' approaches to treating older patients with multimorbidity.

Geriatricians and primary care physicians in Japan are expected to provide care to older patients with multimorbidity. A questionnaire survey was carried out to understand the current approaches to older patients with multimorbidity. A total of 3300 participants, including 1650 geriatric specialists (G) and 1650 primary care specialists (PC) were enrolled. A 4-point Likert scale was used to score the following items: diseases that cause difficulty in treatment (diseases), patient backgrounds that cause difficulty in treatment (backgrounds), important clinical factors and important clinical strategies. Statistical comparisons were made between the groups. In the Likert scale, higher scores show a greater degree of difficulty. We obtained responses from 439 and 397 specialists in the G and PC, respectively (response rates 26.6 and 24.1%). The overall scores for "diseases" and "backgrounds" were significantly higher in the G than those in the PC (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018). The top 10 items in the "backgrounds" and in the "important clinical strategies" were all matched between the groups. The overall score of the "important clinical factors" was not statistically different between the groups; however, "low nutrition," "bedridden activities of daily living," "living alone" and "frailty" were found only in the top 10 items of the G, and "financial problems" was found in those of the PC. Geriatricians and primary care physicians have many similarities and differences in their approaches to multimorbidity management. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a system in which they can share a common understanding to manage older patients with multimorbidity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 628-638.

Clinical practice for unspecified anxiety disorder in primary care.

Clinicians face difficulties in making treatment decisions for unspecified anxiety disorder due to the absence of any treatment guidelines. The objective of this study was to investigate how familiar and how often primary care physicians use pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to manage the disorder. A survey was conducted among 117 primary care physicians in Japan who were asked to assess the familiarity of using each treatment option for unspecified anxiety disorder on a binary response scale (0 = "unfamiliar," 1 = "familiar") and the frequency on a nine-point Likert scale (1 = "never used," 9 = "frequently used"). While several benzodiazepine anxiolytics were familiar to primary care physicians, the frequencies of prescribing them, including alprazolam (4.6 ± 2.6), ethyl loflazepate (3.6 ± 2.4), and clotiazepam (3.5 ± 2.3), were low. In contrast, certain nonpharmacological options, including lifestyle changes (5.4 ± 2.3), coping strategies (5.1 ± 2.7), and psychoeducation for anxiety (5.1 ± 2.7), were more commonly utilized, but to a modest extent. When a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug failed to be effective, primary care physicians selected the following management strategies to a relatively high degree: differential diagnosis (6.4 ± 2.4), referral to a specialist hospital (5.9 ± 2.5), lifestyle changes (5.2 ± 2.5), and switching to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (5.1 ± 2.4). Primary care physicians exercise caution when prescribing benzodiazepine anxiolytics for unspecified anxiety disorder. Nonpharmacological interventions and switching to SSRI are modestly employed as primary treatment options and alternatives to benzodiazepine anxiolytics. To ensure the safe and effective treatment of unspecified anxiety disorder in primary care, more information should be provided from field experts.

Primary care physicians' perspectives and challenges on managing multimorbidity for patients with dementia: a Japan–Michigan qualitative comparative study

BackgroundMultimorbidity management can be extremely challenging in patients with dementia. This study aimed to elucidate the approaches of primary care physicians in Japan and the United States (US) in managing multimorbidity for patients with dementia and discuss the challenges involved.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted through one-on-one semi-structured interviews among primary care physicians, 24 each from Japan and Michigan, US. Thematic and content analyses were performed to explore similarities and differences among each country’s data.ResultsPrimary care physicians in Japan and Michigan applied a relaxed adherence to the guidelines for patients’ chronic conditions. Common challenges were the suboptimal consultation time, the insufficient number or ability of care-coordinating professionals, patients’ conditions such as difficulties with self-management, living alone, behavioral issues, and refusal of care support. Unique challenges in Japan were free-access medical systems and not being sure about the patients’ will in end-of-life care. In Michigan, physicians faced challenges in distance and lack of transportation between clinics and patients’ homes and in cases where patients lacked the financial ability to acquire good care.ConclusionsTo improve the quality of care for patients with multimorbidity and dementia, physicians would benefit from optimal time and compensation allocated for this patient group, guidelines for chronic conditions to include information regarding changing priority for older adults with dementia, and the close collaboration of medical and social care and community resources with support of skilled care-coordinating professionals.

What Role Expectations Do Primary Care Physicians in Japan Hold for Physical Therapists Regarding Primary Care?

This study aimed to clarify what primary care physicians (PCPs) in Japan understand of the role of physical therapists (PTs) through the experience of working with PTs in hospitals, and what roles PCPs expect for PTs in future primary care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 9 purposively sampled PCPs with sufficient experience of collaboration with PTs. Interview data were analyzed by theme analysis focusing on "What does the PCP understand about the role of PTs through the experience of working with PTs in hospitals?" and "What roles and purposes does the PCP wish for PTs in primary care settings?" PCPs viewed PTs as providers of rehabilitation in the traditional medical model, and understood their role as an occupation having a mono-causal viewpoint, namely a specific and well-defined outcome for individual patients, and intervening with patients within a short clinical course with the aim of improvement or maintenance of the patient's condition. With regard to future primary care, PCPs expected that PTs would interpret various factors related to patient lives from the viewpoint of causal interactions; become important stakeholders in the community; and respond flexibly to patients and the environmental factors around them with continued support to the individual. PCPs understood the role of PTs in hospitals as "Rehabilitation in the traditional medical model," and expected the future role of PTs in primary care as "Rehabilitation in integrated community care."

Prevalence of Burnout among Internal Medicine and Primary Care Physicians before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

Objective To evaluate the change in the prevalence of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic among internists and primary care physicians in Japan, and to identify factors associated with the exacerbation of burnout among these populations during this period. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on two web-based surveys conducted in January 2020 (before the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic) and June 2020 (during the pandemic). The participants were internists and primary care physicians of the Japanese Chapter of the American College of Physicians. The main outcome was the change in the prevalence of burnout between before and during the “first wave” of the pandemic. We also examined factors associated with the exacerbation of burnout during this period. Results Among the 283 respondents in the first survey and 322 in the second survey, 98 (34.6%) and 111 (34.5%) reported symptoms of burnout, respectively. In June 2020, 82 respondents (25.5%) reported that their level of burnout exacerbated compared to January 2020. Only the experience of self-quarantine was associated with the exacerbation of burnout [odds ratio (OR) 3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49-6.50; p=0.002], while being a woman, being a resident physician, and an experience of having worked in a prefecture under a state of emergency were not. Conclusions No marked change in the prevalence of burnout among internists and primary care physicians in Japan was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a whole. However, self-quarantine was associated with the exacerbation of the burnout level.

How a problem-based learning approach could help Japanese primary care physicians: a qualitative study.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify training needs among primary care physicians in Japan who had no formal primary care training. Methods We conducted a focus group interview with seven Japanese primary care physicians who had not previously undergone specialist training in primary care and had been recruited to a family medicine training program that used a problem-based learning approach. At the start of the program, the physicians attended the interview. The discussion was recorded, and the transcribed interview was analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method. Results Three main themes emerged. First, there is a lack of standard re-education programs for physicians who move away from their specializations into primary care. Second, there is insufficient training on primary care in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Japan. Third, continuing professional development programs should cover the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care practice. Conclusions This study clarified the needs to be addressed in our training program for primary care physicians involved in retraining in primary care. It is important to consider how to best include the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care among the topics covered in the program. As the program undergoes further iteration, it will be important to check whether it meets the needs of primary care practitioners. It will be necessary to investigate the needs of re-education programs for more physicians in many areas, and to emphasize the importance of primary care re-education in these abilities in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Obstacles to the use of complementary and alternative medicine by primary care physicians: Preliminary study

ABSTRACTAimComplementary and alternative medicine is increasingly being used by primary care physicians in Japan, although this usage has not been studied in detail, and the barriers in the way of its use by physicians have not been explored. The aim of this study was therefore to clarify the factors that interfere with the use of complementary and alternative medicine, from the perspective of the primary care physicians.MethodsWe conducted interviews with primary care physicians who use complementary and alternative medicine in their practice. Transcripts of interviews were analyzed qualitatively using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method.ResultsFour categories and 15 concepts were extracted. The categories generated were ‘Awareness of health‐care providers’, ‘Characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine’, ‘Medical system and organization’ and ‘Regional factors’.ConclusionVarious factors interfere in the use of complementary and alternative medicine by primary care physicians. Approaches to overcome lack of education and insufficient collaboration among regional health professionals need to be developed. Future studies are needed to generalize the present findings in order to enhance integrative medicine and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in primary care settings.

Perspectives on disclosure of the dementia diagnosis among primary care physicians in Japan: a qualitatively driven mixed methods study

BackgroundThe number of dementia patients in Japan is projected to reach seven million by 2025. While modern ethicists have largely reached the conclusion that full disclosure of dementia serves the best interest of patient, the implications of disclosure of a dementia diagnosis remains an underexplored area of research in Japan. The purpose of this study was to explore primary care physicians’ perspectives relative to the practice of disclosure of the dementia diagnosis.MethodsIn this qualitatively driven mixed methods project, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 primary care physicians using purposeful sampling to identify rural and urban representation. All interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The research team iteratively conducted discussions of the concepts as they emerged until reaching thematic saturation. The summary was distributed to the participants for member checking and we incorporated their feedback into the final analysis.ResultsOf 24 participants, 12 practice in rural areas and 12 practice in urban/suburban areas. Participants’ attitudes varied in whether or not to disclose dementia diagnosis to the patients, and in the level of clarity of the name and the prognosis of the disease. Participants who were more comfortable in practicing disclosure were communicating collectively to the patients and their family members and those who were less comfortable practicing disclosure were concerned about patients’ feelings and had negative perceptions given the insidious progression of the disease.ConclusionWe found substantive individual differences in the approach to disclosure of the diagnosis of dementia and the level of comfort among primary care physicians. More dialogue about this issue and training to equip primary care physicians lacking confidence in their approach may be required.

How Specialists Become Primary Care Physicians in Japan

Background: Most countries have a shortage of Primary Care (PC) physicians. Japan has mitigated this problem by specialists making a mid-career change to PC when they go into private practice. This study examines the circumstances under which specialists shift to PC. Methods: Since the division between specialists and PC physicians is blurred in Japan, we focus on Physicians Providing Home Visits (PPHV). The list of PPHV was obtained from the local medical associations in two neighboring medical planning areas in Japan. The methods used were a questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Results: Of the 46 listed as PPHV, 38 responded to the questionnaires. Physicians mainly acquired their knowledge and skills in primary care from post-graduate clinical training and on the job training after becoming PPHV. The specialists who had moved to PC were equally knowledgeable regarding PC as those had taken the PC accreditation exam. The in-depth interviews revealed that the higher income earned in clinics and being able to retain their identity as a specialist were also important factors. Conclusions: The factors that contributed to physicians making a mid-career change from specialists to PC were their experiences after being certified, the higher income in clinics and the ability to retain their professional identity as specialists. These enabling factors might also be applicable for increasing the ratio of PC physicians at the global level although further studies are required.

Primary care doctor fostering and clinical research training in Sweden: Implications for Japan.

In 2018, a new training program for primary care physicians was launched in Japan. As physicians responsible for the training of new primary care physicians, we have faced many problems, particularly in rural areas. The influence of this new program on primary care physicians in rural areas of Japan has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this research was to improve training for primary care physicians in Japan by examining training programs in Sweden, where the population challenges are similar to those seen in Japan. In this paper, we will express our opinions and describe the differences in the primary care fostering systems and clinical research training for generalist in Japan and Sweden.

Gatekeeping function of primary care physicians under Japan's free-access system: a prospective open cohort study involving 14 isolated islands.

BackgroundGatekeeping is important for strong primary care and cost containment. Under Japan’s free-access system, patients can access any medical institution without referral, which makes it difficult to evaluate the gatekeeping function of primary care physicians (PCPs).ObjectivesTo examine the gatekeeping function of PCPs in Japan, we compared the frequencies of visits to primary care clinics, referrals to advanced care and hospitalizations between 14 remote islands and a nationwide survey.MethodsThis study was a prospective, open cohort study involving 14 isolated islands (12 238 inhabitants) in Okinawa, Japan. Participants were all patients who visited the clinics on these islands in 1 year. Main outcome measures were the incidence of on-island clinic visits and referrals to off-island advanced care.ResultsThere were 54 741 visits to the islands’ clinics with 2045 referrals to off-island medical facilities, including 549 visits to emergency departments and 705 hospitalizations. The age- and sex-standardized incidences of healthcare use per 1000 inhabitants per month were: 360.0 (95% confidence interval: 359.9 to 360.1) visits to primary care clinics, 11.6 (11.0 to 12.2) referrals to off-island hospital-based outpatient clinics, 3.3 (2.8 to 5.2) visits to emergency departments and 4.2 (3.1 to 5.2) hospitalizations. Comparison with the nationwide survey revealed a lower incidence of visits to hospital-based outpatient clinics in this study, while more patients had visited PCPs.ConclusionsThe lower incidence of visits to secondary care facilities in this study might suggest that introduction of a gatekeeping system to Japan would reduce the incidence of referral to advanced care.

Characteristics and perceptions of twice-weekly webinars for primary care physicians in Japan: a qualitative study.

ObjectivesTo explore the characteristic features and perceived value of free twice-weekly webinars predominantly focusing on the continuing professional development of primary care physicians in Japan. MethodsIn this qualitative study, we conducted a focus group of the webinars’ participants (n=6, a purposive sample). The discussion was recorded, with the recording subsequently transcribed, separated into meaningful segments and then open-coded until thematic saturation was reached. Concepts were generated through selective coding. Finally, the extracted concepts were grouped into categories. ResultsExtracted concepts were grouped into five categories: technological breakthroughs, the creation of learning opportunities, external interaction, stimulation of internal interaction, and the advantages and disadvantages of nationwide expansion. The webinars were perceived to provide a comfortable learning climate, enabling physicians to teach one another, share their experiences and become virtual colleagues. The chat system stimulated real-time interaction between both a main speaker and participants and the participants. Participants were able to ask questions or give comments in a stress-free atmosphere. The webinars were found to elicit real-time, internal interaction within participating sites without interrupting the sessions. Participants also highly valued the absence of commercial sponsorship. The expansion of the webinars raised two concerns: the possibility of speakers becoming nervous and the increased burden on the organizers. ConclusionsThe webinars have successfully allowed sharing of unbiased information and experiences in a comfortable, multifaceted interactive learning environment, enabling participants to feel connected. The chat system permitted interaction not feasible in face-to-face learning opportunities and has shown great promise as a means of online medical education.

Challenges in providing maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians in Japan: a qualitative study

BackgroundMaintaining a maternity care system is one of the biggest issues in Japan due to the decreasing number of obstetricians, especially in remote areas and islands. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges in women’s health and maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians and obstetricians in order to provide an insight necessary to develop a better health care system.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 primary care physicians and 4 obstetricians practicing maternity care at clinics/hospitals in remote areas and islands across Japan. Interview data were analyzed, using the modified Grounded Theory Approach, to elucidate the challenges primary care physicians faced in their practice.ResultsPrimary care physicians who engaged in maternity care recognized the following challenges: low awareness of primary care, lack of training opportunities, unclear goal of the training, lack of certification system, lack of consultation system, and lack of obstetricians to offer support. These six challenges along with the specialty’s factors such as sudden changes of patients’ condition were considered to result to the provider’s hesitation and anxiety to engage in the practice.ConclusionsThis study found six environmental/systemic factors and three specialty’s factors as the main challenges for primary care physicians in providing maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians in Japan. Increasing the awareness of primary care and developing a maternity care training program to certify primary care physicians may enable more primary care physicians to engage in and provide women’s health and maternity care in remote areas and islands.

Identification of dementia using standard clinical assessments by primary care physicians in Japan.

The aim of the present study was to develop a way of identifying dementia using clinical assessments made by primary care physicians under the existing medical care system in Japan. A total of 623 people aged ≥65 years underwent standard clinical assessments by primary care physicians under the long-term-care insurance program to determine their grade of activities of daily living related to dementia. To examine the validity of the diagnosis, neuropsychiatrists carried out further diagnosis of dementia for all the participants. We regarded the dementia patients who received care for disability under the long-term care insurance program as having disabling dementia. Multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) in single-grade increments of the activity was 2.1 (1.7-2.5) for dementia and 2.8 (2.2-3.4) for disabling dementia. The grades ≥I and ≥IIa were near the upper-left corner in the receiver operating characteristic curves. Setting the cut-off point at grades ≥I or ≥IIa yielded a higher integrated discrimination improvement, suggesting a major improvement in reducing misclassification by using these cut-off points. When we used grades ≥I as the cut-off point, the sensitivity (95% confidence limits) was 65% (58-72%) and the specificity was 93% (91-96%) for dementia, and the corresponding values in grades ≥IIa were 54% (47-62%) and 96% (94-97%). The corresponding values for disabling dementia were 83% (76-90%), 92% (90-95%), 73% (65-80%) and 96% (94-97%). Our findings suggest that selection of grades ≥I or ≥IIa as the cut-off point would reduce instances of misclassification in the identification of dementia and disabling dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 738-744.

Randomised controlled trial on the effect of internet-delivered computerised cognitive–behavioural therapy on patients with insomnia who remain symptomatic following hypnotics: a study protocol

IntroductionInsomnia has severe consequences for health. Primary care physicians in Japan commonly provide hypnotics, which is far from optimal. The recommended treatment for insomnia is cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT). Access to...

Evaluation of Asthma Symptoms to Assess Asthma Control Status in a Primary Care Setting: An Exploratory Analysis of Pooled Data from Three Trials

Background: Primary care physicians in Japan see many patients in a given day; consequently, they find it challenging to devote sufficient time for detailed clinical consultation and evaluation of asthma control status. The aim of this study was to investigate asthma symptoms that reveal the presence of inadequately controlled asthma. Methods: A pooled analysis of baseline data from 100 patients with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroid(s) (ICS) alone or ICS/long-acting beta-agonist who participated in three previous clinical trials was performed. Asthma control status and asthmatic symptoms were determined using a five-item Asthma Control Questionnaire, and whether asthmatic symptoms reflect clinical markers was investigated. Results: Nocturnal awakening owing to asthmatic symptoms was observed only in the uncontrolled asthma group. Patient-reported wheezing was not observed in the group with well-controlled asthma, but was observed in all patients in the uncontrolled asthma group. Virtually all patients, irrespective of asthma control status, reported symptoms in the morning, limitation of normal daily activities, and shortness of breath. Conclusions: The presence of nocturnal awakening due to asthma and wheezing likely reflected uncontrolled asthma. These results will lead to re-recognition that clinical interview, querying nocturnal awakening from asthma and wheezing is a simple and useful approach to assess asthma control status in a primary care setting.

Screening for major depressive disorder with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 and PHQ-2) in an outpatient clinic staffed by primary care physicians in Japan: a case control study.

ObjectiveThe Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a self-report questionnaire commonly used to screen for depression, with ≥8–11 generally recommended as the cut-off. In Japan, studies of the validity of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 have been limited. In this study, we examined the utility of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 at an outpatient clinic in a Medical University Hospital in Japan.MethodsNew consecutive outpatients were included in the study. We administered the PHQ-9 to 574 patients, and acquired complete PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 data for 521 patients. Major depressive disorders were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR.ResultsForty-two patients were diagnosed with major depressive disorders. The mean PHQ-9 (15.7) and PHQ-2 (3.8) scores of the patients with major depressive disorders were significantly higher than the scores of the patients without depression (6.0 (PHQ-9) and 1.8 (PHQ-2)). The best cut-off points for the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 summary scores were ≥11 (sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.81) and ≥3 (sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.82), respectively. No relationship was observed between the age and PHQ-9 scores.ConclusionThe PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 were useful instruments for screening for major depressive disorders. The best cut-off point for the PHQ-9 summary score should be ≥11 to detect depression in the primary care setting in Japan.

Survey of Japanese pediatricians on vaccination of children with neurological disorders

Primary care physicians in Japan are often unwilling to vaccinate children with neurological disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the state of vaccination in children who are severely handicapped and/or have convulsive disorders, in order to increase the vaccination rate in this patient population. Six hundred and eighty pediatricians belonging to Osaka Shonika Ikai were asked to answer a questionnaire, and 359 doctors responded. Two hundred and thirty-four doctors consulted for febrile seizures (Fs), 190 for epilepsy and 145 for conditions affecting severely handicapped children, responded that they refused to vaccinate. The reasons for reluctance to vaccinate these children were short interval since the last seizure, including febrile (226 doctors) and epileptic (121 doctors) seizures. It was especially likely that a child with a past history of status epilepticus would be refused vaccination. Primary care doctors are very cautious about the indications for vaccination, especially the inoculation of live vaccines, because they often induce post-vaccination fever-associated convulsions. Intractable daily epileptic seizures was the most common reason for refusal to vaccinate severely handicapped children. Examples of inadequate decision-making as regards the indications for vaccination were: "need more than 6 months observation since last seizure whether Fs or epileptic", "need EEG examination for Fs", "contraindication because of low bodyweight and/or chronic wheezing in severely handicapped children". There is a need to provide correct information about the adverse effects of vaccination and for greater cooperation between primary care doctors and pediatric neurologists.