https://doi.org/10.24552/00002163 ©青森県立保健大学
Challenges and prospects of the Aomori Regional Medical Care
Vision from the perspective of a medical social worker at a hospital with convalescent beds
Tohru Takizawa and Takayuki Kasai
Faculty of Health Science, Aomori University of Health and Welfare
（Recieved February 19, 2021; Accepted April 15, 2021）
ABSTRACT
［Objective］A questionnaire survey of Medical Social Worker (MSW) was conducted to clarify the
recognition status and issues of the Regional Medical Care Visions in Aomori Prefecture.
［Methods］MSWs working in hospitals with convalescent beds (recovery phase rehabilitation ward and
community comprehensive care ward) in Aomori Prefecture were surveyed and valid responses were
received from eighteen MSWs. The method was an anonymous web survey using Google Forms.
［Results］The answers to the question "Aomori Prefecture estimated that 4238 beds will be needed for
convalescent beds in 2025. What do you think about the functional conversion of these beds?” are as
follows. One respondent (5.6%) answered "it is very possible to increase the number of convalescent
beds", 12 respondents (66.7%) answered that "it will be somewhat difficult to increase the number of
convalescent beds", 4 respondents (22.2%) answered "it will be extremely difficult" while 1 respondent
(5.6%) responded with "other". The question "What issues do you think are related to an increase of the
number of convalescent beds?" Respondents may select multiple responses out of the 9 alternatives.
The main results were as follows; 83.3% of respondents answered "the problem is that the medical
treatment environment in the community and home care is not prepared." and 61.1% of respondents
answered "it will become difficult to secure discharge destinations. Hospitals will be competing with each
other. "
［Conclusions］About 90% of MSWs answered that it would be "difficult (somewhat + extremely)" to
increase the number of convalescent beds. MSWs have both hospital and community perspectives and
believed that the Regional Medical Care Visions could not move forward unless the local environment,
including discharge destinations and home healthcare, is adequately prepared.
Key words: Regional Medical Care Visions, The Year 2040 Problem, COVID-19