Volunteer Activities at the Hospice of Japan Baptist Hospital: Modified Volunteer Activities Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

At the Japan Baptist Hospital, approximately 70 volunteers are working mainly in hospice. Owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in February 2020, volunteer activities were suspended or severely curtailed at most hospices/palliative care units in Japan. We have been attempting to determine how to continue the volunteer activities, that are indispensable to the hospice care team approach. For example, volunteers’ artworks and potted plants provided patients with the opportunity to participate in seasonal events and feel socially connected without meeting in person. Additionally, we skillfully used web resources, that allowed us to hold staff meetings and bereavement meetings during the pandemic. The hospice staff participated in hospital COVID-19 countermeasure meetings to share and provide the importance of presence of volunteers for the best care of patients throughout the hospital. The “Guideline for Volunteer Activities According to the COVID-19 Outbreak Levels” was initiated in conjunction with the hospital’s infection control team to allow us to continue volunteer activities without spreading the infection.

Practices, Recommendations, Knowledge, and Sources of Information for Primary Care Physicians regarding Vaccinations: A Nationwide Survey in Japan, 2019 / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

Introduction: Vaccine policies have changed in recent years in Japan. In the present study, we assessed practices, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information among primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding vaccinations in Japan. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study targeting PCPs in Japan. We used a web-based self-administered questionnaire targeting physicians that were members of the Japan Primary Care Association in 2019. We analyzed respondent administrations, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information regarding vaccinations. Results: We received responses from 1,084 PCPs (20.1%) and invited 981 participants for the analysis. The rates at which physicians gave routine and voluntary vaccines in their own practices were 23.3-95.5% and 13.2-94.4%, respectively. The active recommendation rates for routine and voluntary vaccines were 41.6-92.0% and 13.6-75.5%, respectively. Furthermore, among routine vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccine was the least administered and recommended. PCPs working at clinics had the most accurate knowledge about vaccinations, and PCPs utilized academic organizations most readily as an information resource. Conclusion: We clarified practices, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information regarding vaccinations among PCPs in Japan.

Report on the First 5 Years of the "Generalist 80 Universities Angya Project" / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

The Young Primary Care Doctors' Organization of the Japan Primary Care Association (JPCA) launched the "Generalist 80 Universities Angya Project" in 2011 to increase contact between generalists and medical students or residents interested in general hospital medicine, family medicine and primary care. The project targeted students interested in family medicine, primary care and hospital general medicine who do not participate in nationwide seminars. The project helps medical students and residents hold voluntary seminars at their university campus about family medicine, primary care and hospital general medicine. From 2011 to 2016, the project supported 129 seminars attended by 3,569 people at 63 universities. A questionnaire survey on 11 seminars between September 2013 and February 2014 revealed that 66% of medical students had never participated in JPCA family medicine summer seminars for students and residents. By holding seminars at university campuses, we targeted different participants from those at the nationwide seminar.

Future of primary care in Japan ; let's talk with young generalists ! / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

In Japan, young generalists work in various clinical settings depending on the needs ; they work as family physicians, geriatricians, and hospitalists/general internists. In this symposium, four young generalists from different backgrounds discussed the future of primary care medicine in Japan. First, they presented their dream of primary care. Secondly, geriatric end-of-life issues were discussed, and the suggestion was made that the obtaining of informed consent at an earlier time in an outpatient setting while including patients' families is important in terms of successful advanced care planning. Finally, the issues of career planning for young generalists were focused on. It was revealed that most young generalists understand the importance of obtaining various work-related experiences to develop their skills, but they find it difficult to set their career plan because of the lack of a support system. A stronger support system provided by the JPCA and enhanced solidarity among young generalists are needed.<br>-Report of a symposium held as part of the 8 th Winter Seminar of Family Medicine for Young Doctors, 3rd March, 2013 at Tokyo University.