Abstract
To elucidate the current status of the health care delivery system of Japan, the spatial distribution of health care resources and the amount to be allocated were quantitatively estimated by integrated analyses of micro data of the Patient Survey and DPC case-mix registry. Visualization of secondary medical service areas of patient residence and admitted hospital indicated the association of patient traveling distance and health care services provided. Comprehensive analysis of the Tokyo metropolitan area showed more traveling for cancer and heart surgery and less traveling for brain surgery and long term care. Multivariate logistic analysis of national data for the admission to distant hospitals revealed a high ratio for heart, orthopedic and cancer surgery and low for injury, general gastrointestinal and elderly patient surgery. The number of estimated acute care beds in Japan was 460 thousand, about half of the current general beds, with the average length of hospital stay being 12 days. The estimation of needed health care resources indicated a deficiency of physicians in the Hokkaido and Tohoku areas and of nurses in the Kanto and Tokai areas, a general deficiency of ICU beds, and up to 110 thousand rehabilitation beds to be prepared.