Abstract
We conducted a questionnaire survey on the task shift/share from pathologists to medical technicians regarding the law that will come into effect in 2024. Pathological diagnosis is considered as the final basis for treatment, so careful measures are required. However, the task shift/share from pathologists to medical technicians makes much sense to solve the chronic shortage of Japanese pathologists. According to the responses to the questionnaire, in 54% of the facilities (575/1,058 pts), many medical technicians did not know about task shifting. In 67% (498/745 pts) of the facilities, medical technicians answered that they were ready to relocate their tissue slicing work or were in the process of relocating at the facility. It was found that the induction of the image analysis system and that of the whole slide image device did not spread in Japan. We found that making the draft of the pathological diagnosis report is impossible in 73% (635/869 pts) of the facilities. Autopsy is performed by a pathologist in 59% (599/1,018 pts) of the facilities, and in 73% (517/706 pts), it is not performed when a pathologist is absent. Prior to the enforcement of the law, I would like you to communicate with doctors and review the pathological examination work.
