Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Doctors in Short Supply in Japan
I've now heard a bit about this problem in Japan: a shortage of doctors. Even though there is a universal health care system and also some pretty amazing technology, the lack of doctors is starting to cause some serious problems, including the deaths of patients waiting in excess of 3 hours to receive emergency care.
My father-in-law, a pediatrician, does not believe me on this subject. We tried to tell him that its true, that because of strict immigration laws, no foreign doctors are allowed to fill in the void.
Along with the laws keeping non-Japanese docs from practicing, another cause of this problem, is that in the previous med school system, teachers assigned the students specialties and work locations. These days, students are allowed to choose what kind of doctor they want to be, but there is no incentive to become anything other than an easy career. So, while there is a great need for Japanese doctors, hardly anyone wants to become a doctor.
How can they fix it? Well, this complex problem cannot be fixed just by making one decision. It definitely will be a long process, that I believe must start with a change in immigration laws. Not many developed countries don't allow qualified professionals to enter the work force, especially when there is a tremendous need for said professionals.
I imagine that it must have been frustrating to not be able to choose what kind of doctor you want to be, but there is such a shortage in Japan, that there is a necessity for compromise all around the board.
My husband is a medical student, getting closer and closer to finishing school. I try to keep a lookout for places that need doctors, and I love Japan. I would love to live there, but things would really have to change to allow my husband and I to move there.
My father-in-law, a pediatrician, does not believe me on this subject. We tried to tell him that its true, that because of strict immigration laws, no foreign doctors are allowed to fill in the void.
Along with the laws keeping non-Japanese docs from practicing, another cause of this problem, is that in the previous med school system, teachers assigned the students specialties and work locations. These days, students are allowed to choose what kind of doctor they want to be, but there is no incentive to become anything other than an easy career. So, while there is a great need for Japanese doctors, hardly anyone wants to become a doctor.
How can they fix it? Well, this complex problem cannot be fixed just by making one decision. It definitely will be a long process, that I believe must start with a change in immigration laws. Not many developed countries don't allow qualified professionals to enter the work force, especially when there is a tremendous need for said professionals.
I imagine that it must have been frustrating to not be able to choose what kind of doctor you want to be, but there is such a shortage in Japan, that there is a necessity for compromise all around the board.
My husband is a medical student, getting closer and closer to finishing school. I try to keep a lookout for places that need doctors, and I love Japan. I would love to live there, but things would really have to change to allow my husband and I to move there.
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