ABSTRACT
<B>Introduction</B><BR>Recently, an increasing number of registered foreigners get married and bear children in Japan. At the same time, a variety of needs for maternal and child health (MCH) impose burden for medical practitioners. A questionnaire survey was conducted to clarify the situation of MCH service for foreign residents.<BR><B>Method</B><BR>Self-report questionnaires developed by “The study group for MCH in a multiethnic and multicultural society” were sent by mail to the pediatricians registered in the Gunma medical association or Gunma pediatric association. In total, target number was 299. The survey period was between 2003/10/6-11/3.<BR><B>Result</B><BR>The number of valid response was 167. Out of 167, 155 doctors replied to have experience of caring foreigners. 75% of them had the experience of trouble in communication. For the question of the need of translator, 76.8% of doctors answered “absolutely necessary” or “necessary if the quality of translation is high enough”. Desired competencies for translators were “Accurate translation of diagnosis, hands on of treatment strategy” or “To help taking detailed patient's history”.<BR>For the experience of using MCH handbook in foreign languages, 52.9% of doctors answered “Never used it”.<BR><B>Discussion</B><BR>We found that the majority of doctors had difficulty in communicating with foreigners.<BR>To meet the doctors' requirement for the competency of translator, two strategies should be considered. One is to develop professional medical translator through education of basic medical knowledge or Japan's health care system. The other is to train foreigners already engaging in translation.<BR>For communication tools development, user friendly concept should be reflected including 1) adscript of foreign and Japanese languages, 2) illustration usage and 3) eye-friendly materials for elderly. Contents should have explanations including 1) diagnosis and treatment policy for common disease, 2) ways of coping with common symptoms, and 3) the information of a variety of Japan's welfare services.
ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b><br> The era of “International Migration” has arrived in Japan, where communities are becoming multicultural and multiethnic. We cannot talk about the Japanese society without mentioning the coexistence that brings the symbiosis of different people. It has become obvious that diverse people of different races, nationalities, backgrounds, cultures and languages have to live altogether in mutual respect. At this point, when we think of “Medical health care for foreign residents”, we ought to first think that without a sound, harmonious community, there is no way to secure the health of foreign residents. In the materialization of a multicultural society it can be said that the medical health care of foreign residents is absolutely necessary, as indispensable as soil is for plants.<br><b>Objectives</b><br> This workshop intends to answer to the following questions: What is the appropriate social framework for foreign residents and citizens to live safely and securely? What kind of medical health care system would allow foreign residents to exert their right to health? from different points of view and a discussion with the participation of all the attendants.<br><b>Contents</b><br> Ms. Y. Kojima will speak on the problems of foreign children school unattendance, concrete support and policy building to solve the problem. Mr. Y. Nakamura will make a presentation on how a sound society should be considering community multiculturalism and the dramatic speed at which Japanese society is facing internationalization. Ms. L. Herrera will speak about the medical interpretation problem. Mr. R. Khaled will address the topic of the health needs of foreign residents' medical health care from his experience in the field. Mr. D. Arudo, author of “Japanese Only-The Otaru Hot Springs Case and Racial Discrimination in Japan” (Akashi Bookstore 2003) will talk about the reality of the internationalization in Japan from his own experience, a topic to which he has devoted many years. We will listen to the meaning of living as a foreign resident in the community. In addition, we have asked Mr. T. Sawada to appoint any questions from the floor. This workshop approaches diversity and decision in the Japanese society, aiming to contribute to a society which is kind to all its members. We are looking forward to your attendance.