White Paper on Junior Residents (“Kenshui”) in Japan and at Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital

Abstract

This “white paper” on junior residents and physicians-in-training of postgraduate year (PGY)-1 and -2 (“Kenshui” in Japanese) reviews current trends for physicians in Japan and discusses how accreditation is given to “Kenshui” in registered hospitals. In 2004, the new postgraduate medical education (PGME) system was established, along with recommended guidelines, and systematic PGME was introduced in all eligible hospitals. This review also describes how “Kenshui” receive PGME at Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital (KOMH), and shows how “Kenshui” at KOMH are trained in accordance with Japanese government guidelines. The rotation system for each specialty, evaluation, daily life, career and background problems of “Kenshui” are explained in the context of the situation at KOMH in 2024.