Access to Medical Services and Proper Drug Use among Residents in Mountainous Northern Areas of Miyazaki Prefecture

Abstract

Residents in the mountainous northern areas of Miyazaki prefecture find it difficult to access medical institutions and care facilities, and they have little contact with healthcare professionals. In this study, we investigated community access to medical services and proper drug use among residents in areas affected by depopulation and aging. We conducted canvassing interviews with elderly people (aged 65 years and older) in an urban district and four mountainous districts. When problems were identified, we gave instructions for proper drug use, and encouraged medical consultations. Although the number of residents who had access to a family physician differed between districts, many residents had a family physician. However, the number of residents who had a family pharmacy was lower than the number of residents who had a family physician in all districts. The role of pharmacies in proper drug use may not have been recognized in some districts. We found that some residents had side effects by multiple prescriptions and there was a lack of understanding about the meaning of medication in mountainous areas. There were problems regarding over-the-counter and household drugs in districts with a high rate of having these drugs, and we also discovered double medications of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. We conclude that the current situation of community access to medicine has become more difficult for residents in mountainous areas. Nevertheless, pharmaceutical interventions are useful for the promotion of proper drug use for residents in mountainous areas.