Decreased visits to "family doctors" 7:33 on May 20th due to anxiety about new corona infection

There is a growing tendency for patients to refrain from seeing their “family doctor” because they feel uneasy about being infected with the new coronavirus. In a survey conducted last month by a medical information site, 86% of the approximately 1,460 doctors in the clinic said that "outpatients have decreased." Under these circumstances, there are concerns from the family doctor that there are no more patients in need of treatment and that it is impossible to understand their health condition.

Many patients with asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. go to the Doi Internal Medicine Clinic in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. More people said.

The number of patients has dropped by almost 20% on average compared to last year, and the number was usually half of last week even on Saturday morning when there are usually many patients.

Some people have been visiting the hospital once every two weeks, but have postponed the examination to two months ahead.

Doctors are worried that the condition may worsen by enduring symptoms or discontinuing medication.

Yoshiyasu Doi said, “We think that people who come on a regular basis are“ Oh, this person is okay ”because they come properly, and I'm afraid it won't.” If you don't come to Japan and you have an emergency condition that makes your illness worse, you have no children, so don't hesitate to see me if you feel something is wrong. "

The move to refrain from seeing doctors is spreading among parents with small children.

At the Hayashi Clinic, a pediatric department in Machida, Tokyo, the number of patients is about 30% of the usual number.

In most cases, the number of parents and children who come to see a doctor while their symptoms are mild has deteriorated considerably before coming to the hospital.

A mother who came to the clinic this Sunday with a boy of 1 year and 10 months old said, `` I have had a fever for 4 to 5 days, and I usually go to the hospital immediately after I have a fever, but I have a fever and go to the hospital. I wonder if that's the case, and on the other hand, I'm worried that I might get a hospital even if I have only a few symptoms, "he said.

Usually, mothers who use this pediatric department recalled that their 5-year-old son was wondering what pain and fever symptoms should occur after March and was uncertain, saying, `` Isn't it actually solved earlier? However, for example, when I had to go to a big hospital for inspection, I was worried about what to do if I got a virus. Mothers around me were scared to take me to the hospital. I will talk to you. "

Regarding this situation, Dr. Izumihiko Hayashi said, "It is a lump of things that especially small children do not understand. Always consult with them and, for example, even if you have a cold, you can solve problems such as mental development problems or skin problems. I can't do that in pediatrics. I think it's a worrying situation. "

At the clinic, we started temporary medical treatment from the last month.

Dr. Hayashi said, `` I'm anxious because I can tell if there is an urgency right now or if I should hurry, '' he said while giving instructions on how to treat at home and recommending going to the hospital if necessary. Because the hurdles of the mothers who are suffering from it will go down, I think it will be meaningful in the current fashion of the new corona. "

What should local family doctors do?

Toshihiko Yamazaki, Director of the National Federation of Insurance Medical Associations, said, “There are many patients who think that they have to put up with their poor physical condition, so it's a matter of whether they should refrain from having a medical examination or whether it is better to go there properly. I would like you to consult with your doctor. "He points out that communication between doctors and patients is becoming more important.