Research on Issues Preventing Japanese Global Health Personnel from Working at International Organizations / 国際保健医療

ABSTRACT

Objective  There is a growing need to develop human resources with diverse experience, expertise, and a global perspective who can contribute to global rule-making in health. One of the government’s goals is to increase the number of Japanese personnel working for international organizations, but it has not reached the desired level. This study identified the barriers that medical and non-medical professionals have when applying for or working at international organizations, as well as the support measures they expect from the government, to highlight issues and examine employment support measures.Methods  A qualitative and descriptive research was conducted based on semi-structured interviews with 20 physicians, nursing professionals, graduates of public health graduate schools, non-medical professionals, students, etc., who were (1) seeking employment with international organizations, (2) currently employed, and (3) previously employed but left.Results  The following seven themes were highlighted as barriers to applying for or working at an international organization 〈issues specific to Japanese society and people〉, 〈concerns about a career in global health〉, 〈discrepancy between a career as a healthcare professional and a career in global health〉, 〈need to strengthen skills〉, 〈preparation for competitive examinations〉, 〈importance of WLB〉, 〈issues inherent in international organizations〉. Conclusion  Possible support measures include individual career counseling, seminars on how to survive in international organizations, and seminars for female applicants of child-rearing age, based on the knowledge and experience of current/former employees of international organizations. As for the issues that hinder the dispatch of medical personnel overseas, the first step would be to compare and verify the positive effects that strengthening the overseas dispatch would have on their skills, the workplace environment, and the acceptance of foreign patients. The development and introduction of systems, such as sabbatical and long-term leave, and reinstatement of employment is especially required of global companies and international hospitals.