Training Program for Doctors Practicing in Rural Areas

Abstract

There are few training programs in Japan for doctors who wish to practice in rural areas. We propose a postgraduate training program for doctors practicing in rural areas which would include the conditions of training hospitals and requirements for teaching staff. This program clarifies not only the content necessary for doctors practicing in rural areas but also the fundamental competence of all doctors. We sent questionnaires about this program to 24 physicians (20 working at university hospitals and 4 working at community hospitals). Physicians working at university hospitals replied that a program of 3 years is too short and contains too much material. Physicians working in a community hospital replied that this program would be extremely useful for medical students and residents who wish to practice in rural areas. Training programs for doctors who wish to practice in rural areas are needed to improve postgraduate training programs.