Toshiaki Takahashi, Onishi Sachiko, Kiyonori Takada and Naoto Kobayashi
Background: The lack of physicians in any given community results in very serious and ongoing deficiencies in medical service, and is a matter of considerable urgency for certain communities in Japan.
Methods: We surveyed 2812 people by questionnaire regarding community medicine in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Results and Conclusion: Those surveyed reported inadequate numbers of physicians in the areas of gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, neurosurgery, and other medical specialties. Regarding a question about the desired characteristics of a community physician, more than 50% of respondents indicated a desire for a physician who treats patients gently and kindly, can provide total care, and has extensive medical knowledge, while 15% expressed a preference for a physician with strong training in a particular field of medicine. In order to attract young physicians to the community, the majority of respondents were in favor of establishing a community hospital system that would accept those with excellent postgraduate medical training. Based on these results, it is possible to improve the medical education curriculum and to make an adequate regional policy to attract young physicians to community hospitals.