2022 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 79-88
The Japanese medical system is considered to be world-class, but Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population are pressuring the medical system to make drastic reforms. In addition to these structural problems, the COVID-19 pandemic that struck in 2020 forced Japanese healthcare organizations to respond to a difficult global emergency involving a high degree of uncertainty. Medical administration is oriented toward relative stability, but it has been forced to make a shift in management amidst a raging (turbulent) storm. I have examined how healthcare organizations, and particularly nursing and care organizations dealing with structural problems, are facing this situation under such tumultuous circumstances.
In this paper, I first present the results of quantitative research and interviews. Next, I propose a framework useful for analyzing the case of medical organizations stated above and providing those organizations with tool for preparing for disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.