Hiroshi Nishigori

A hypothesis-driven physical examination learning and assessment procedure for medical students: initial validity evidence.

Context  Diagnostic accuracy is maximised by having clinical signs and diagnostic hypotheses in mind during the physical examination (PE). This diagnostic reasoning approach contrasts with the rote, hypothesis‐free screening PE learned by many medical students. A hypothesis‐driven PE (HDPE) learning and assessment procedure was developed to provide targeted practice and assessment in anticipating, eliciting and interpreting critical aspects of the PE in the context of diagnostic challenges.

Bushido and medical professionalism in Japan.

Medical professionalism has become a core topic in medical education. As it has been considered mostly from a Western perspective, there is a need to examine how the same or similar concepts are reflected in a wider range of cultural contexts. To gain insights into medical professionalism concepts in Japanese culture, the authors compare the tenets of a frequently referenced Western guide to professionalism (the physician charter proposed by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, American College of Physicians Foundation, and the European Federation of Internal Medicine) with the concepts of Bushido, a Japanese code of personal conduct originating from the ancient samurai warriors. The authors also present survey evidence about how a group of present-day Japanese doctors view the values of Bushido. Cultural scholars have demonstrated Bushido’s continuing influence on Japanese people today. The authors explain the seven main virtues of Bushido (e.g., rectitude), describe the similarities and differences between Bushido and the physician charter, and speculate on factors that may account for the differences, including the influence of religion, how much the group versus the individual is emphasized in a culture, and what emphasis is given to virtue-based versus duty-based ethics. The authors suggest that for those who are teaching and practicing in Japan today, Bushido’s virtues are applicable when considering medical professionalism and merit further study. They urge that there be a richer discussion, from the viewpoints of different cultures, on the meaning of professionalism in today’s health care practice.

I came, I saw, I reflected: a qualitative study into learning outcomes of international electives for Japanese and British medical students.

Background and aim: Although medical students have increasingly more opportunities to participate in international electives, their experiences are usually unstructured and the literature referring to their learning outcomes, educational environment, and assessment is scanty. This study was undertaken to clarify qualitatively what students learn from their international electives. Methods: We carried out semi-structured individual interviews with 15 Japanese students studying clinical medicine in British medical schools and six British students studying in Japanese medical schools. The thematic synthesis method was used in analysing the transcribed data and triangulation by multiple researchers was used to achieve higher reliability. Results: The main learning outcomes identified were skills in history taking and physical examination with clinical reasoning and in management of diseases rarely seen in the students’ own countries; awareness of clinical ethics and merits and demerits of different systems of healthcare and medical education; sensitivity to issues in doctor–patient relationships and work ethics; enhancement of cultural competence; and personal development. Conclusions: Most learning outcomes of international electives are culture- or system-dependent. Students achieved outcomes related closely to medical professionalism, mainly through reflection. International electives may give students opportunities to learn both professionalism and cultural competence.

A global template for reforming residency without work-hours restrictions: Decrease caseloads, increase education. Findings of the Japan Resident Workload Study Group

Background: Japanese physician training programs are currently not subject to rigorous national standardization. Despite residency restructuring in 2004, little is known about the current work allocation of residents in Japan. Aims: We quantified the amount of time that Japanese junior residents spend in service versus education in the context of caseload, fatigue, and low-value administrative work. Methods: In this prospective, time-and-motion study, the activity of 1st- and 2nd-year residents at three Japanese community hospitals was observed at 5-min intervals over 1 week, and categorized as patient care, academic, non-patient care, and personal. Self-reported sleep data and caseload information were simultaneously collected. Data were subanalyzed by gender, training level, hospital, and shift. Results: A total of 64 participating residents spent substantially more time in patient care activities than education (59.5% vs. 6.8%), and little time on low-value, non-patient work (5.1%). Residents reported a median 5 h of sleep before shifts and excessive sleepiness (median Epworth score, 12). Large variations in caseload were reported (median 10 patients, range 0–60). Conclusions: New physicians in Japan deliver a large volume of high-value patient care, while receiving little structured education and enduring substantial sleep deprivation. In programs without work-hour restrictions, caseload limits may improve safety and quality.

A model teaching session for the hypothesis-driven physical examination

Introduction: The physical examination is an essential clinical competence for all physicians. Most medical schools have students who learn the physical examination maneuvers using a head-to-toe approach. However, this promotes a rote approach to the physical exam, and it is not uncommon for students later on to fail to appreciate the meaning of abnormal findings and their contribution to the diagnostic reasoning process. The purpose of the project was to develop a model teaching session for the hypothesis-driven physical examination (HDPE) approach in which students could practice the physical examination in the context of diagnostic reasoning. Methods: We used an action research methodology to create this HDPE model by developing a teaching session, implementing it over 100 times with approximately 700 students, conducting internal reflection and external evaluations, and making adjustments as needed. Results: A model nine-step HDPE teaching session was developed, including: (1) orientation, (2) anticipation, (3) preparation, (4) role play, (5) discussion-1, (6) answers, (7) discussion-2, (8) demonstration and (9) reflection. Discussions and conclusions: A structured model HDPE teaching session and tutor guide were developed into a workable instructional intervention. Faculty members are invited to teach the physical examination using this model.

Asian perspectives for reflection

Today, medical education is becoming increasingly international. Students and doctors are moving in increasing numbers from country to country, and faculty members have many opportunities to teach international students, just as medical students now have many opportunities to learn from overseas teachers (Dogra et al. 2009). Under these circumstances, it is critical to know how culture influences medical practice and how to gain the needed cultural competence (Kumagai & Lypson 2009). This competence is also necessary when learning educational concepts, and medical educators are required to know their cultural similarities and differences when teaching them to overseas healthcare professionals (Kumagai & Lypson 2009). Here we are going to explore how culture influences one of the important educational concepts, ‘‘reflection’’. The purpose of this article is to share its wider (especially Asian) perspectives with international readers who teach and study the concept of reflection.

Beyond work-hour restrictions: a qualitative study of residents’ subjective workload

IntroductionFollowing the introduction of work-hour restrictions, residents’ workload has become an important theme in postgraduate training. The efficacy of restrictions on workload, however, remains controversial, as most research has only examined objective workload. The purpose of this study was to explore the less clearly understood component of subjective workload and, in particular, the factors that influenced residents’ subjective workload.MethodThis study was conducted in Japan at three community teaching hospitals. We recruited a convenience sample of 31 junior residents in seven focus groups at the three sites. Audio-recorded and transcribed data were read iteratively and analyzed thematically, identifying, analyzing and reporting themes within the data and developing an interpretive synthesis of the topic.ResultsSeven factors influenced residents’ subjective workload: (1) interaction within the professional community, (2) feedback from patients, (3) being in control, (4) professional development, (5) private life, (6) interest and (7) protected free time.Discussion and conclusionOur findings indicate that residents who have good interaction with colleagues and patients, are competent enough to control their work, experience personal development through working, have greater interest in their work, and have fulfilling private lives will have the least subjective workload.

How do healthcare professionals and lay people learn interactively? A case of transprofessional education

Lay people without a body of specialty knowledge, like the professionals, have not been able to partake in interprofessional education (IPE). Transprofessional education (TPE), which was defined as IPE with non-professionals /lay people, is an important extension of (IPE). A TPE programme was developed to explore how health professionals and lay people learn with, from and about each other in a Japanese community. The present study was conducted in a hospital and the surrounding community in Japan. An ethnographic study design was adopted, and the study participants were six lay individuals from the community and five professionals working in the community-based hospital. During the health education classes, the first author acted as a facilitator and an observer. On reviewing interview data and field notes using a thematic analysis approach, findings showed that healthcare professionals and lay participants progressed through uniprofessional and interprofessional before achieving transprofessional learning. Both type of participants became to transcend boundaries after sharing their viewpoints in a series of classes and recognized that they were important partners in their local community step by step, which increased their sense of belonging to the community. The transformation was driven by dynamic interaction of the following four factors: reflection, dialogue, reinforcement of ties, and expanding roles. We believe this process led both groups to come to feel collective efficacy and inspire healthcare professionals to reflect on their transprofessional learning. We clarified how healthcare professionals and lay people achieved transprofessional learning in a TPE programme where participants advanced through uniprofessional, interprofessional stage before achieving transprofessional learning.

Why do students participate in medical education

Medical student involvement in curriculum development is important; however, little is known about why medical students become engaged in this activity. The aim of this study was to understand what motivates medical students at one university to participate in the process of curriculum development and gain a wider perspective on student engagement in medical education.

A national survey of international electives for medical students in Japan: 2009–2010

Background and Objectives: International electives can provide experiences for medical students to learn about health systems and foster critical self-reflection. So far, little is known about the status of Japanese students’ engagement in international electives. We sought to provide information about the internationalization of Japanese medical education by clarifying the current situations of international electives. Method: We undertook a cross-sectional national 17-item questionnaire survey of program officers in all medical schools in Japan in February 2010. Results: Sixty-five (81.3%) of 80 Japanese medical schools responded to the questionnaire. 462 Japanese medical students (3% of all students in their clinical years) travelled to North America (45.5%), Asia (25.0%), or Western Europe (24.4%) to study abroad. The number of students who participated in international electives was significantly increased when academic credit was available (median 6 vs. 1, p < 0.001) and institutional affiliations were present (median 7 vs. 2 students, p < 0.001). Most students were evaluated by means of written assignment on return. Discussion and Conclusion: About 3% of Japanese medical students participate in international clinical exchanges. Academic credit and institutional affiliations appear to promote greater utilization of international exchange opportunities.