Implications of medical information systems for community health care in Japan

The population of Japan in the 21st century is expected to be distributed heavily on the side of higher ages. In view of the aged society, improved hygienic, medical, and welfare services must be provided in every community. In order to provide these services efficiently it is necessary to implement a community health care system (CHCS). The role and responsibilities of the medical information system, which is intended to support comprehensively the CHCS with respect to providing the necessary information, will become increasingly important. This paper is intended to discuss the structure, features, and required activities of the community medical information system which will have particular importance in the community health care services in the coming years. Problems in establishing and operating future medical information systems in the CHCS also are discussed. Lastly, problems and obstacles confronted when establishing and operating medical information systems in community health care which is organized around the medical association, which plays an important role and takes on heavy responsibility, are discussed, and a proposal is made.