Needs survey on the priority given to periodical medical examination items among occupational physicians in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: To clarify the priority given to periodical medical examination items among occupational physicians in Japan. Methods: Sixty-two occupational physicians who participated in this study selected statutory and non-statutory items within two types of budget plans: one lower (8,500 yen) than the total fee of statutory medical examinations (9,250 and 11,290 yen), and the other higher (12,000 yen) than the total fee. Medical fee points were used to set the cost of each medical examination item. A three round Delphi method was used from May to July 2016 to clarify the consensus opinion of occupational physicians. Results: The statutory items (selection rate: between 66 and 100%), except for waist circumference (15%) and sputum examination (0%), and serum creatinine (58%, non-statutory item) were included in the smaller budget plan (8,500 yen). In the larger budget plan (12,000 yen), the statutory items (selection rate: between 92 and 100%), except for waist circumference (39%) and sputum examination (0%), and some non-statutory items, namely serum creatinine (95%), leukocytes (92%), uric acid (89%), and fecal occult blood reaction (81%), had a selection rate over 80%. In addition, statutory items with higher accuracy were preferred, which included the following: air conduction pure-tone audiometry (92%), imaging diagnosis of thoracic X-ray examinations by a specialist (97%), glycated hemoglobin levels (98%), and electrocardiogram assessment by a specialist (100%). Conclusion: The statutory items, except for waist circumference and sputum examination, and some of the non-statutory items (e.g., serum creatinine) were given higher priority among occupational physicians in Japan.

Development, Success Factors, and Challenges of Government-Led Health and Productivity Management Initiatives in Japan

“…Regarding the identification of health issues, employers in Japan have a duty to their employees to conduct periodic physical examinations. 11 Since 2015, it has also been mandatory to perform stress checks to evaluate psychosocial factors. 12 Therefore, the use of this information and the number of health evaluation items other than those required by law have gradually been expanded to more accurately understand the physical and mental health conditions of employees.…”

Job stress and satisfaction in southwest Chinese hospitals

“…Compared with the physical examination items studied in Japan, which included the air conduction pure-tone audiometry, glycated hemoglobin levels, electrocardiogram assessment by a specialist, and others, most of our physicians had not completed the annual routine physical examination. [ 22 ] Also, most of the participants experienced one or more periods of depression (68.9%), anxiety (66.7%), or sleep disturbances (59.3%). Interestingly, over 50% of the participants also reported happy experiences.…”

“…From this survey, we discovered that although the participants were health care workers and understand the overall importance of physical health, a majority of neurologists (57.0%) did not undergo yearly physical examinations. Compared with the physical examination items studied in Japan, which included the air conduction pure-tone audiometry, glycated hemoglobin levels, electrocardiogram assessment by a specialist, and others, most of our physicians had not completed the annual routine physical examination [22] . Also, most of the participants experienced one or more periods of depression (68.9%), anxiety (66.7%), or sleep disturbances (59.3%).…”