A comparison of the work environment of respiratory physicians in Japanese hospitals in 2017 and in 2009
Mutsuo Yamayaa,b Takafumi Sudaa,c Takeshi Isobea,d Kazuyoshi Imaizumia,e Tetsuro Ohdairaa,f Shinobu Osanaia,g Tomotaka Kawayamaa,h Naomi Kunichikaa,i Hiroyuki Sanoa,j Yoko Shibataa,k Masaharu Shinkaia,l Etsuko Tagayaa,m Hirofumi Chibaa,n Hisako Matsumotoa,o Takeshi Kanekoa,p
aThe Planning Committee of the Japanese Respiratory Society
bDepartment of Advanced Preventive Medicine for Infectious Disease, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
c2nd Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
dDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine
eDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Fujita Health University
fDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Nishi-Niigata Chuo National Hospital
gCardiovascular, Respiratory and Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University
hDivision of Respirology, Neurology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine
iDepartment of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Yamaguchi Hospital
jDepartment of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine
kDepartment of Pulmonary Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine
lClinical Trial Development and Research Center, Tokyo Shinagawa Hospital
mFirst Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University
nDepartment of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
oDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
pDepartment of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine
The Planning Committee of the Japanese Respiratory Society conducted a questionnaire survey of the directors of accredited hospitals and members of the Society regarding the work environment of respiratory physicians and specialists in hospitals in 2017. The results of the survey were similar to those of a similar survey conducted in 2009, demonstrating long working hours at night and during holidays, long waiting times, and physician and specialist shortages; additionally, the results showed that more than 70% of physicians complained of a lack of sleep. However, improvements in the work environment were observed, and more than 60% of the members were satisfied with their jobs. Many respiratory physicians reported that they found several aspects of respiratory medicine appealing, including a wide range of work and the systemic management of patients. The reduction of respiratory physician and specialist workload by establishing team-based medical care systems is required to develop respiratory medicine into an attractive career field. This committee has promoted several projects to increase the number of respiratory physicians and specialists, considering this to be fundamental to addressing the workload issues of physicians and specialists.
Work environment Respiratory physicians in hospitals Appeal of respiratory medicine Team-based medical care system
Received 14 Sep 2018 / Accepted 17 Dec 2018
AJRS, 8(2): 81-90, 2019