2016 Volume 17 Issue 3 Pages 129-134
Unified liaison critical pathways for multiple diseases were operated in Gifu second medical area (a population of about 800,000 people) by ‘Gifu area medical association liaison pathway organization’ since 2006. ‘The Organization’, based on the Gifu City Medical Association and inter-hospital cooperation network, is composed of several working groups of expert doctors on myocardial infarction, viral hepatitis, stroke, femoral neck fracture, urological diseases, five major cancers, diabetes and COPD. Secretariat system of ‘the Organization’ is composed of supervising steering committee of representatives of each group, and inter-hospital cooperation support network. In addition, ‘the Organization’ held a pathway coordinator training course to further promote the scheme.
Here, we report the status of the ninth year of reciprocating-type pathways between the specialist and the clinic. Number of all reciprocating-type pathways operated is 3207 cases as of March 2015, marking an increase around 400 cases in six months. In recent years, five major cancers, especially stomach, colon and breast have been increasing. Participation status of clinics, out of the total 606 clinics in this area, is 31.8% in colorectal cancer, and 31.5% in breast cancer. Clinics which participated in any of the reciprocating-type pathway have surpassed majority, increased up to 56.4% (342 clinics). Each clinic receives liaison pathway from 1 to 5 (average 2.01) hospitals, and receives 1 to 9 (average 3.42) types of pathways. Future challenges include outcome evaluation, maintenance of the ‘the Organization’, and actions towards the establishment of integrated community care system.
