Health policies to facilitate "team iryo" (teamwork in healthcare) in Japan

Abstract

Cooperation among many types of professionals is indispensable in health-related fields. The phrase, “team iryo (teamwork in healthcare),” which has already taken root at health, medical and welfare sites, began to be used frequently from the 1970’s. In 1975, a workshop titled “Teamwork for Doctors and Nurses at McMaster University” was held at the former National Institute of Health Service Management. Also in the field of public health, a multi-disciplinary practical course called “joint field training” was started at the former Institute of Public Health in 1961. In 2010, the “Committee for Promoting Teamwork in Healthcare” was established in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and additional medical service fees for teamwork in healthcare started for nutrition support and respiratory care teams. In April of 2024, the limits to overtime work for doctors will be introduced as part of working practice reforms, so the promotion of cooperation among many types of professionals, such as task shifting/sharing, is essential, and a review of the existing systems is ongoing. At the same time, since the prevention of medical accidents is vital for medical personnel, team training is essential to ensure safe, efficient and effective patient care.