Abstract
Objective : To clarify physicians responsible for obstetrics and gynecology in remote-island healthcare, and the roles of obstetrician-gynecologists in remote-island healthcare as well as their future directions.
Materials : A questionnaire survey was conducted for physicians engaged full-time in obstetrical-gynecological care on 10 islands in the Kanto region.
Methods : An 81-item questionnaire was prepared to clarify the characteristics of both medical practice and life on remote islands. The questionnaire was sent to 11 physicians, who responded in writing.
Results : Among the 10 remote islands (total population : app. 27,500), there are two islands (combined population : app. 18,500) that each had a full-time obstetrician-gynecologist. On the other eight islands (combined population : app. 9,000), Jichi Medical School dispatched physicians from various specialties. Although the school provide obstetrical-gynecological care including maternity examinations, these physicians were not involved in delivery. The two obstetriciangynecologists also provided care for patients with other medical or surgical disorders. Among the physicians surveyed, 72.7% indicated a willingness to be involved in remote-island healthcare despite professional and personal inconveniences specific to remote islands.
Conclusions : On remote islands and in other remote areas, obstetrician-gynecologists are expected to be comprehensive practitioners who can provide both medical and surgical care to a certain degree. Though remote-island healthcare forces physicians to practice and live under difficult conditions, many or those surveyed find it rewarding. In the future, enhancing both practice and living environments will make it easier to dispatch physicians for remote island healthcare, thus leading to improvement in the quality of services.
