In response to a series of cases in which patients suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus were refused medical treatment by local medical institutions, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that the role required of a "family doctor" would be "daily medical care in a familiar community." We have decided to stipulate in the law that we will provide health care and consultation on health management.
There is no legal definition of "family doctor" so far, and in response to a series of cases in which patients with the new coronavirus refused medical treatment, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been considering whether it is possible to clarify the role of the family doctor. .
As a result, at the subcommittee meeting on the 23rd, it was decided that the role would be defined as "to provide daily medical care and consultation on health management in the immediate community" and to be specified in the law.
On top of that, each medical institution will
report to the prefectural government and publish
the details of the training for primary care doctors that enrolled doctors have taken, and
the specific details of cooperation with home medical care and nursing care .
became.
In addition, we have decided to establish a new system for patients who require continuous medical care for lifestyle-related diseases to exchange documents with their primary care physicians and confirm their relationship with each other.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to submit a bill to revise relevant laws to the ordinary session of the Diet next year.
Expert “A system that is more effective and beneficial to the people”
Tetsushu Kusaba, chairman of the Japan Primary Care Association, commented on the fact that the role of primary care physicians will be specified in the law, saying, "Until now, there was no clear definition, and patients who were suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus were considered to be primary care physicians. There have been a series of ``refugees'' who have been refused treatment by medical institutions they used to visit, so it is a big deal that the role is backed up by law this time."
On the other hand, regarding the system for allowing patients who need continuous medical care to exchange written documents with their primary care physicians and confirm their relationship with them, ``Healthy people say they want to see their primary care doctor to improve their health, etc.'' In addition, in the event of an epidemic like the new coronavirus, this system alone will not be able to meet the needs of the people, so it will be more effective and beneficial to the people. I would like you to continue to consider it so that it will be a mechanism."