Evaluation of usefulness of medical assistance to part-time doctors

Abstract

Nanpuh Hospital focuses on cancer medical treatment, and the referral patients of the lung cancer in respiratory medicine are increasing every year. As the doctors in Respiratory Medicine run a busy practice, reduction of doctor's office work is an urgent issue. Lung cancer patients with surgical indications had been referred to the associated University Hospital until this project was started. Currently, respiratory surgeons from the associated University Hospital work under shift-work system that made it possible to perform surgery in our hospital. The electronic medical record in Nanpuh Hospital is different from the one that the respiratory surgeons usually utilize. Furthermore, the unfamiliar systems in the hospital are greater burden to the respiratory surgeons. For this, Medical Doctor's Clark (DC) has supported the operation of medical records and constructed a doctor support system to proceed medical care smoothly. In addition, to strengthen the cooperation between departments of Respiratory Medicine and Respiratory Surgery, DC supported medical care process from diagnosed stage of lung cancer to the phase of the surgery, and to the phase of post-operative management. A questionnaire survey of effect of DC showed that doctors unanimously responded that it leads to cooperation between departments of Respiratory Medicine and Respiratory Surgery. The DC in acute care hospitals is valuable and can contribute to the development of doctors supports.