Dispatch of replacement doctors from core hospitals to rural clinics in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: Core hospitals play an important role in rural healthcare, and the dispatch of replacement doctors (DRD) from core hospitals to rural clinics is included in medical care plans at the prefectural level in Japan.

Material and Methods: The conditions of DRD implementation in core hospitals (n=345) were observed using national data from 2022.

Results: DRD was present in 101 (29.3%) core hospitals. A greater number of doctors per 100 beds (median: 16.7) was observed when DRD was present than when it was absent (median: 11.0; P<0.05).

Conclusion: More studies are warranted regarding the number of doctors and their functions in core hospitals to ensure DRD.