Current status and actions needed for disseminating medical information to the public at National Centers in Japan

Abstract

Providing reliable medical information via the Internet is a pivotal mission for the National Centers (NCs) in Japan. This paper reports on the current state of medical information dissemination via the Internet and the management systems at eight departments across six NCs, and explores strategies for optimizing their services of information delivery. We investigated these departments' establishment backgrounds, website content, quality control measures, and dissemination challenges. The rationale for establishing the departments and the types of medical information disseminated varied across the NCs. Regarding information quality control, most departments relied on reference materials with robust supporting evidence, with medical professionals-such as physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and individuals with PhDs―playing a central role in content preparation. However, only three departments had established editorial policies, and just one had a system for incorporating public peer review. The key factors in effective information dissemination, as perceived by practitioners, include identifying the public's needs and fostering accessible information environments. Challenges identified included a shortage of human resources for information development and difficulties adapting to the increasing diversification of information dissemination platforms, such as social media. Although all NCs leverage their specialized expertise to provide information, there is a lack of standardization in the quality control processes. To improve the reliability and accessibility of medical information, it is essential to establish standardized quality control processes, integrate public perspectives into content creation, secure dedicated personnel, and strengthen cross-NC collaboration, particularly in the era of social media and generative AI.