摘要
The shortage of pediatricians has been identified as one of the largest social problems in Japan. This study aimed to compare the assumed ideal nighttime working conditions of pediatric hospitalists in Japan with the actual current situation. By using available data on the age-related numbers of pediatricians in Japan, we described the ideal working conditions for pediatric hospitalists in Japan. The ideal situation was then compared with the existing actual working conditions. Compared with the assumed ideal condition, current pediatric hospitalists are working in many hospitals with a few colleagues. To solve the current supply-demand mismatch on medical care for children during night, an involvement of non-pediatric physicians in the medical care of children during the night is indispensable. Also, parents in Japan need to know the limitations relating to the available capacity of pediatricians, and accept that their children can be cared for adequately by non-pediatric physicians, who have been trained to provide primary medical care to children.
The shortage of pediatricians has been identified as one of the largest social problems in Japan. This study aimed to compare the assumed ideal nighttime working conditions of pediatric hospitalists in Japan with the actual current situation. By using available data on the age-related numbers of pediatricians in Japan, we described the ideal working conditions for pediatric hospitalists in Japan. The ideal situation was then compared with the existing actual working conditions. Compared with the assumed ideal condition, current pediatric hospitalists are working in many hospitals with a few colleagues. To solve the current supply-demand mismatch on medical care for children during night, an involvement of non-pediatric physicians in the medical care of children during the night is indispensable. Also, parents in Japan need to know the limitations relating to the available capacity of pediatricians, and accept that their children can be cared for adequately by non-pediatric physicians, who have been trained to provide primary medical care to children.
