伊藤 彰一

BACKGROUND: Japan faces a health care delivery challenge due to physician maldistribution, with insufficient physicians practicing in rural areas. This issue impacts health care access in remote areas and affects patient outcomes. Educational interventions targeting students' career decision-making can potentially address this problem by promoting interest in rural medicine. We hypothesized that community-based problem-based learning (PBL) using real-patient videos could foster students' understanding of community health care and encourage positive attitudes toward rural health care. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the impact of community-based PBL on medical students' understanding and engagement with rural health care, focusing on their knowledge, skills, and career orientation. METHODS: Participants were 113 fourth-year medical students from Chiba University, engaged in a transition course between preclinical and clinical clerkships from October 24 to November 2, 2023. The students were randomly divided into 16 groups (7-8 participants per group). Each group participated in two 3-hour PBL sessions per week over 2 consecutive weeks. Quantitative data were collected using pre- and postintervention questionnaires, comprehension tests, and tutor-assessed rubrics. Self-assessment questionnaires evaluated the students' interest in community health care and their ability to envision community health care settings before and after the intervention. Qualitative data from the students' semistructured interviews after the PBL sessions assessed the influence of PBL experience on clinical clerkship in community hospitals. Statistical analysis included median (IQR), effect sizes, and P values for quantitative outcomes. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. RESULTS: Of the 113 participants, 71 (62.8%) were male and 42 (37.2%) female. The total comprehension test scores improved significantly (pretest: median 4.0, IQR 2.5-5.0; posttest: median 5, IQR 4-5; P<.001; effect size r=0.528). Rubric-based assessments showed increased knowledge application (pretest: median 8, IQR 7-9; posttest: median 8, IQR 8-8; P<.001; r=0.494) and self-directed learning (pretest: median 8, IQR 7-9; posttest: median 8, IQR 8-8; P<.001; r=0.553). Self-assessment questionnaires revealed significant improvements in the students' interest in community health care (median 3, IQR 3-4 to median 4, IQR 3-4; P<.001) and their ability to envision community health care settings (median 3, IQR 3-4 to median 4, IQR 3-4; P<.001). Thematic analysis revealed key themes, such as "empathy in patient care," "challenges in home health care," and "professional identity formation." CONCLUSIONS: Community-based PBL with real-patient videos effectively enhances medical students' understanding of rural health care settings, clinician roles, and the social needs of rural patients. This approach holds potential as an educational strategy to address physician maldistribution. Although this study suggests potential for fostering positive attitudes toward rural health care, further research is needed to assess its long-term impact on students' career trajectories.

In clinical clerkship (CC), medical students can practice evidence-based medicine (EBM) with their assigned patients. Although CC can be a valuable opportunity for EBM education, the impact of EBM training, including long-term behavioral changes, remains unclear. One hundred and nine fourth- and fifth-year medical students undergoing CC at a medical school in Japan attended a workplace-based learning program for EBM during CC (WB-EBM), which included the practice of the five steps of EBM. The program's effect on the students' attitudes toward EBM in CC was assessed through questionnaires. A total of 88 medical students participated in the program. Responses to the questionnaire indicated high satisfaction with the WB-EBM program. The most common theme in students' clinical problems with their assigned patients was the choice of treatment, followed by its effect. Based on the responses in the post-survey for the long-term effects of the program, the frequency of problem formulation and article reading tended to increase in the 'within six months' group comprising 18 students who participated in the WB-EBM program, compared with the control group comprising 34 students who did not. Additionally, the ability to self-assess problem formulation was significantly higher, compared with the control group. However, among 52 students who participated in the WB-EBM program more than six months later, EBM-related behavioral habits in CC and self-assessments of the five steps of EBM were not significantly different from those in the control group. The WB-EBM program was acceptable for medical students in CC. It motivated them to formulate clinical questions and enhanced their critical thinking. Moreover, the WB-EBM program can improve habits and self-evaluations about EBM. However, as its effects may not last more than six months, it may need to be repeated across departments throughout CC to change behavior in EBM practice.

BACKGROUND: Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural Japan poses significant challenges. At Sanmu Medical Center, incorporating resident physicians into a general medicine training program has proved effective in retaining them as supervising physicians. This study aims to identify the key factors contributing to the success of such programs. METHODS: We used a qualitative research design to comprehensively understand the factors contributing to physician retention in regional community hospitals in areas with physician shortages. Interviews were conducted with four experienced physicians, including the center director, who participated in the general or family medicine training programs at Sanmu Medical Center. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, we explored the factors influencing physician retention in community-based hospitals experiencing shortages. Two physicians specializing in community medicine conducted a content analysis under the supervision of three experts in community-oriented medical education and qualitative research. This approach helped compare retention factors perceived by physicians and the center director. RESULTS: Content analysis revealed 10 categories and 47 subcategories. The analysis revealed that "Educational activity" and "Supervising physicians and guidance system" are crucial for physician retention in rural hospitals in Japan. The study highlighted key educational factors contributing to retention: engagement in educational activities led to personal and professional growth, creating a rewarding experience for the physicians. Furthermore, a structured supervising physician system provided essential guidance and mentorship, improving the educational environment. Diverse learning opportunities and protected learning times were identified as critical for fostering a sustainable commitment among physicians to work in rural settings. These findings contribute to existing literature by detailing how structured educational activities and mentorship programs in rural hospital settings can significantly impact physician retention. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based medical education programs that focus on diverse clinical settings, mentorship, and a supportive work environment can enhance physician retention in rural areas. By fostering such educational and professional environments, healthcare institutions can address physician maldistribution and improve care quality in underserved communities. Our study offers practical insights that can be replicated or adapted by other rural hospitals facing similar challenges. It offers targeted strategies to address the unique challenges faced by female physicians in rural healthcare settings.

BACKGROUND: Report writing in class provides basic training for academic writing. However, report writing education in medical schools in Japan has rarely been reported and no teaching strategy has been established for it. METHODS: This study developed a report writing program using peer review for first-year medical students consisting of two 120-minute classes. The goal of being able to write reports appropriately was established and presented to students at the beginning of the program. In session 1, students decided on a topic, gathered information, and structured their report. In session 2, students' written reports were peer reviewed. The reports were improved based on the peer reviews. The responses of the pre- and post-program questionnaires were evaluated to determine the program's effectiveness. The other reports that were assigned one month after the program were used as comparison with the reports of students who did not participate. Furthermore, the long-term effects of the program were also evaluated by comparing the results of students from the previous year who did not participate in the program with those of program participants six months after the program. RESULTS: A total of 106 students completed the questionnaire evaluation. The program was rated as being acceptable for the students. Self-assessment of report writing significantly improved after the program. The report scores of program participants (n = 99) were significantly higher overall and in all domains than were those of non-participants (n = 99). The self-assessment of students who participated (n = 96) was significantly higher than that of non-participants (n = 109). No difference was observed for students' sense of burden in report writing. CONCLUSIONS: The report writing skills of medical students can be improved by clearly establishing the goals of report writing and practicing the basic skills of report writing step-by-step. Moreover, the use of peer review may enhance the effectiveness of learning opportunities for report writing.

PURPOSE: This study examines the impact of the 2010 and 2016 Model Core Curriculum (MCC) revisions on medical education across all 82 medical schools in Japan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021, focusing on the response to the MCC revisions, curriculum changes, and factors influencing these changes. The survey included questions on approaches to implementing the MCC revisions, timing of curriculum updates, factors triggering these revisions, changes in student performance and career paths, and the introduction of new subjects. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. Most universities rapidly implemented changes following the 2016 MCC revision, demonstrating agility in adapting to national standards. Key factors influencing curriculum revisions included external evaluations and the MCC revisions themselves. Despite no significant changes in student performance or career paths from faculties' perspective, an increase in scholarly activities was noted. The introduction of new subjects post-2016 reflects a shift toward holistic perspectives such as behavioral science, general medicine/community medicine, and professionalism. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight a commitment to maintaining educational quality in Japanese medical education. The responsiveness to MCC revisions suggests a growing interest in medical education among faculties and an alignment with global medical education trends to meet evolving healthcare needs.