The role of neurologist and health care environmental change of Japan

Abstract

In 2025, 7 million baby–boomers generation will be late elderly people over 75 years old. At that time, the disease structure also changes drastically, and the treatment place also shifts from hospital to home. To prepare for such changes, the Japanese government is now hurried to establish a regional medical plan and district comprehensive care system.

The number of intractable diseases including neurological incurable diseases also increases. Especially the designated intractable diseases increased to 330. From now on, it is the time to support patients with neurological diseases in district comprehensive care system. To do this, home health care with neurological diseases is necessary through cooperation between a neurologist and a family doctor. In addition, it is necessary to create a mechanism to support neurological diseases with multiple medical care staffs. The challenges are described in this chapter.