Current status of Japanese emergency medicine based on a cross-sectional survey of one prefecture

Objective: To ascertain the current status of emergency medicine at certified emergency hospitals in Fukuoka, a Japanese prefecture. Fukuoka prefecture has the 9th largest population volume of the 46 prefectures throughout Japan. Methods: Written questionnaire sent to 146 certified emergency hospitals. Results: A total of 132 of 146 (90.4%) emergency hospitals replied. Data were complete from 131. Nineteen of 131 hospitals (14.5%) were qualified by the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, whereas 85 of 131 (64.9%) were certified by other medical associations. In 32 of 131 hospitals (24.4%), there was an emergency medicine specialist or acute care physician, whereas 117 hospitals (89.3%) had a specialist doctor qualified by another medical association. In 33 of 131 hospitals (25%), there were doctors who undertook training in emergency medicine of surgery-related courses, and 66 (50%) undertook internal medicine-related courses. Conclusion: The current status of emergency medicine practice in the Fukuoka prefecture is poor. Medical associations relevant to emergency medicine should collaborate with each other to share information, as well as provide help to solve problems associated with emergency medicine manpower. This collaboration should occur as a national effort within the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine.