Collaboration Between Nurses and Professional Caregivers to Provide Medical Care in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, as more people require medical care, the importance of effective collaboration between nurses and professional caregivers, both in the home setting and in nursing home facilities, is increasing. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the way professional caregivers in Japan view medical care administration in the home and in nursing home facilities. Responses to a questionnaire given to in-home and nursing home caregivers demonstrated that many professional caregivers, especially nursing home caregivers, desired collaboration with nurses to enable them to provide safe medical care. An educational system for professional caregivers in Japan is needed.

Notes

This study was supported by funds from the Welfare and Medical Service Agency, Japan. Part of this paper was presented at the 1st Korea-Japan Joint Conference on Community Health Nursing in Seoul, Korea (November 22–23, 2007). The authors are grateful to the in-home and nursing-home caregivers for their participation in the study.