<b>Current Status of Kampo Medicine Learning by Japanese Physicians for Cancer Treatment </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

The aim of the current nationwide survey was to investigate the Kampo medicine experiences of Japanese physicians working at hospitals designated as core cancer centers by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Among the 900 physicians surveyed, 92.4% reported having prescribed Kampo medications, of whom 73.5% reported having prescribed them for cancer patients. Despite this high percentage, only 28.7% of the physicians had studied Kampo medicine.<br>This survey found that over 40% of physicians in each generation had no intention of learning Kampo medicine. When asked to categorize their expectation of Kampo efficacy, about 30% said they had an ‘expectation’, a ‘no and yes expectation’, and ‘no expectation’ respectively.<br>However, physicians who had experience learning Kampo medicine had more expectation than physicians who had not. And the same expectation tendency for prophylaxis treatment was shown in physicians with that experience and those without. This difference is disadvantageous to patients. We therefore believe it necessary to create an environment in which physicians can learn Kampo medicine and methodology, which engenders cooperation between Kampo specialists and Japanese physicians in the treatment of cancer.