How can Japanese University-based Primary Care Physicians Attend International Conferences? / General Medicine

ABSTRACT

<b>Background: </b>Activity in international conferences is essential for the academic progress of primary care in Japan. We aimed to clarify the obstacles Japanese university-based primary care physicians face in attending and presenting at international conferences.<br><b>Methods: </b>We conducted a questionnaire of 10 residents and 22 physicians in the Department of General Medicine and Primary Care at the University of Tsukuba.<br><b>Results: </b>The primary obstacle preventing conference attendance was English language skills. A secondary obstacle was insufficient time off work.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>Additional support in English language skills and time off work is necessary to promote attendance at international conferences.