Effects of Self-Planning and Human-Relations Training for Medical Students / 医学教育

At Tokyo Women's Medical University, our curriculum for first-year students is designed to teach the dynamics and etiquette of human relations. During the third year, medical students are expected to anticipate and plan effective therapeutic communication and interaction with patients. A discussion group of 6 students and a member of the human-relations committee first clarify the purpose and develop the training; students then independently participate in human-relations training during the summer vacation. After training, experiences are discussed during class. Although this curriculum has been used for some 10 years, its benefits have been assumed but not validated. We used student reports and questionnaires to examine the effects of this curriculum. The results clearly show that planning and training give the students an opportunity to learn how to establish an effective physician-patient relationship.

Patient-Based Evaluation of Kampo Therapy-Introduction of a Clinical Information Database for Patient-Based Assessment- / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Patients often complaint about their health, even if nothing is wrong with them upon concise objective examination. The complaints often imply the symptoms reflect more than one organ. Kampo treatment has the advantage of curing several symptoms at the same time, with only one or a few medicines. Kampo medicines comprise Chinese herbal formulations individually tailored to the patient. Therefore, symptom reduction is one of the most essential outcome parameters in Kampo treatment. However, how these subjective symptoms should be quantified, is controversial. The purpose of the current paper is to introduce an evaluation system for subjective symptoms. The system is referred to as Tokyo Women's Medical University Oriental Medicine Research Active Support System (TOMRASS). Apart from subjective symptoms, this database contains physical examination, laboratory data, clinical diagnosis and prescribed medicines, etc. In this study, 2 cases are shown as examples of practical use with TOMRASS use. One is a case with many complaints, which is effective with one medicine, Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to. The other is a case, which reveals unexpected outcomes with Sho-seiryu-to.<br>The new approach enables us not only to give more consideration to the patient's perspective, but also to differentiate therapeutic implications. The investigation between the subjective quality of life and therapeutic relationship may contribute to further understanding of Kampo treatment.

A Survey of Education in Oriental Medicine at Medical Schools in Japan / 医学教育

Medical education in Japan has centered upon Western medicine since the Meiji Era. Nevertheless, because patients have a great interest in Oriental medicine, many physicians have treated patients with traditional Chinese medicine. The Oriental Medicine Research Institute of Tokyo Women's Medical University opened in 1992, when education in Oriental medicine became a part of the curriculum. To understand the status of education in Oriental medicine in Japan, we conducted a questionnaire survey of all medical schools in the nation. With a response rate of 97.5%, the survey found that one university in four teaches Oriental medicine.<BR>Since 1990, recognition of “alternative medicine, ” in contrast to “modern medicine, ” has gradually increased in both research and education around the world. In Germany, which was the model for the introduction of western medicine to Japan, the use of traditional herbs and spa treatment is already taught in medical school. In the United States, where the National Institutes of Health have established an alternative treatment clinic, research and education are already ongoing at many medical schools.<BR>In such a global situation, the need for education in traditional Oriental medicine will increase, and systematizing such education may become a great challenge. We expect that Oriental medicine will one day be taught at all medical schools in Japan and will become part of the state medical examination.

The Present Situation of Female Doctors in Japan. Analysis of a Questionnaire / 医学教育

To provide material for a panel discussion entitled “The Image of the Female Physician Desired in the 21st Century” at the 28th Congress of the Japan Society for Medical Education, a survey was conducted on the present circumstances of female physicians practicing in Japan. The questionnaires were sent by mail to all 27, 779 female physicians residing in Japan who could be contacted. The rate of response was 29.5%. The results showed that more than 94% of female physicians currently work at institutions for medical services and that only 3.1% engage in works of basic medical research or work as public health administrators. The results also showed the necessity of providing better systems for the support of family life of female doctors to maintain their activities as precious human resources of society.