Abstract
Recently, the system of the pediatric emergency care, especially the primary emergency care, has verged on a breakdown in our country, and it has been becoming a matter of social concern. Its consolidation is one of the most preferential subjects in the pediatric care in Japan.
The pediatric departments of not a few regional general hospitals have been reduced or closed in recent years, because of the lack of profitability in the current health insurance system. On the other hand, some other pediatric departments have been pressed by many patients at nights and holidays, where immoderate labor has been forced upon the limited number of pediatricians.
The planning of the feature articles, entitled “Pediatric emergency medicine in Japan” in “Iryo: Japanese Journal of National Medical Services” is very well-timed, and the articles will be useful for considering what pediatric emergency care system should be in Japan.
