#Japan #Tokyo #Kihira Hiroyuki #Medical Staffing #Doctor Recruitment

New Insights into Medical Staffing

In a significant development for the medical community, Kihira Hiroyuki, a seasoned expert in physician recruitment, is set to release his first book titled How to Create a Hospital That Attracts Doctors on August 10, 2026. Published by Nippon Medical Publishing, the book promises to address pressing challenges faced by hospitals in sourcing qualified medical professionals. Available in bookstores and on platforms like Amazon nationwide, this book is a culmination of Kihira's 18 years of experience and interactions with over 2,000 doctors, making it a crucial resource for healthcare facilities.

Understanding the Challenge

The financial burden of physician recruitment has grown significantly, with hospitals expected to pay approximately 113.9 billion yen in referral fees in 2024. This figure represents a staggering 2.4 times increase over the past decade. Despite this rising cost, many hospitals find themselves still reliant on referral agencies, due to a downsizing in physician dispatch from university medical departments. The obstacle, however, transcends mere financial concerns. Healthcare executives voice deeper issues, lamenting that they do not meet the deserving doctors with the fees they are paying. Furthermore, those hired under favorable conditions often seek opportunities elsewhere soon after, creating a cycle of dissatisfaction.

This book aims to disrupt the traditional reliance on staffing agencies by instructing hospitals on how to transition from dependency to self-sufficiency in recruitment. It provides actionable strategies that hospitals can implement to significantly improve their physician staffing practices.

Key Insights from the Book

The essence of Kihira's philosophy is to shift the focus from high salaries and incentives to fundamentally transforming how hospitals connect with and identify suitable candidates. He proposes a detailed, step-by-step guide that encompasses the development of a recruitment brand, the establishment of engaging physician outreach strategies, effective interview techniques, and the organization of recruitment teams. Importantly, the book does not aim to vilify recruitment agencies but instead advocates for a balanced understanding of these services, encouraging hospitals to reclaim control over their recruitment processes.

Target Audience

Hospital executives struggling to align their full-time physician recruitment with their organizational goals, facing increasing referral fees.
Healthcare administrators anticipating decreased university assistantships, looking to strengthen in-house recruitment strategies.
Human resources personnel or administrative staff tasked with recruitment, seeking structured methodologies in their processes.

Author’s Background

Kihira Hiroyuki, the CEO of K2 Brains, has dedicated nearly two decades to human resources and physician recruitment in hospitals, having been instrumental in hiring over 400 full-time doctors. His knowledge and practical experience make him a respected figure in the field. In his role, Kihira transformed staffing numbers significantly at institutions under social medical organizations, demonstrating the potential of an effective recruitment framework.

In the face of mounting challenges in the medical staffing landscape, Kihira underscores that recruitment should not be perceived as an exclusive task for specialists. His conviction is that any hospital, regardless of its reputation, can create a narrative that emphasizes its inherent value to candidates seeking employment.

Launch Event

Ahead of the book’s publication, Kihira will participate as a speaker at the 67th Annual Japan Hospital Conference in Saitama on September 13, 2026. Attendees will hear firsthand accounts of how three different hospitals have adopted the strategies outlined in his book, illustrating successful case studies from the field and offering practical insights for implementation.

Kihira’s work epitomizes a shift in the approach to medical staffing—one that empowers healthcare organizations to take charge of their recruitment process and connect meaningfully with medical professionals, enhancing both their operations and care quality.

For those seeking to improve their recruitment strategies and attract dedicated healthcare professionals, How to Create a Hospital That Attracts Doctors* serves as a key text in redefining the narrative of medical recruitment.