Local areas suffer from a shortage of doctors and nurses. The government has also begun to seriously address this issue. It seems that measures are being considered to secure doctors and nurses by consolidating functions in core hospitals in each region. There is also a proposal to expand financial measures through hospital business bonds and special grants for facility maintenance costs and the dispatch of doctors and other personnel. Role sharing is being encouraged, with core hospitals taking charge of acute care such as surgery, and surrounding hospitals taking charge of recovery. Despite these government measures, the number of medically depopulated areas is increasing. The inconveniences that are occurring in local medical care are becoming clear. In this situation, we thought about medical care in Japan from the story of a town that has secured a young doctor.
In Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture, the efforts of the mayor and the presence of a positive young doctor have stabilized local medical care. Kimura and Miyagi, both in their 20s, work as doctors at this town-run Tsunan Hospital. They are doctors who have obtained master’s degrees in business administration and master’s degrees in public health. The two spent two years doing clinical training at hospitals in the prefecture. Starting this spring, they have been at the forefront of regional medical care at Tsunan Hospital. However, they have an interesting work style. Kimura works Monday through Wednesday, and Miyagi works Wednesday through Friday. The rest of the time, they both work as management consultants in Tokyo. This is a style that combines the double work of a doctor and a consultant with a dual-base lifestyle. As a result, it has the same effect as having one full-time doctor. It seems that the number of doctors interested in this style is increasing. There are applicants for Tsunan Hospital next year, and the cycle of young doctors coming is starting to turn.
In recent years, it seems that many young people, not just doctors, are aspiring to contribute to society through double work or side jobs. This style resonates with the growth-oriented young generation. Kimura and Miyagi studied business management and entrepreneurship. Both say that future doctors need to learn about business. Kimura says, “I want to take a closer look at hospital management and administrative processes, and experience the thrill of being involved in the decision-making process.” Miyagi is eager to incorporate digital technology into the medical field. For example, online medical consultations face barriers such as residents’ awareness and level of proficiency, as well as budgets. He feels a sense of mission to pioneer online medical consultations that overcome these barriers and create a space for medical technology to enter the field. To do this, he says, not only medical knowledge but also other specialized knowledge will be necessary.
