#Japan #Tokyo #healthcare services #cost management #Industrial Physician

Comprehensive Support for Industrial Physician Services: A Closer Look

In recent years, as the promotion of healthy management in companies has gained momentum, the adoption of industrial physician services has expanded significantly. However, many businesses face unexpected challenges during the operational phase, having initially prioritized low costs over comprehensive support. A study conducted by Mediplat Inc., which included responses from 112 corporate representatives involved in the introduction and management of industrial physician services, illuminated these concerns.

The survey revealed that over 92.8% of companies placed significant emphasis on cost when selecting industrial physician services. While 60.7% said they were "very concerned" about pricing, 32.1% reported being "somewhat concerned." This economic focus is popular, but it often masks the complexities that arise once services are implemented. In fact, many respondents later reported facing additional costs and dissatisfaction related to operational support.

Key Findings of the Survey

1. Operational Support Considerations: While 96.4% of respondents noted the importance of considering operational support systems during selection, only half felt confident about their choices. This disparity suggests a lack of thorough evaluation before implementation.

2. Inefficiencies in Management: Approximately 40.2% of participants indicated that their industrial physicians operated primarily through face-to-face meetings, with documentation mostly handled via analog methods like Excel and paper. Furthermore, 46.4% reported using multiple systems, leading to fragmented health information management. This complexity raised significant concerns about operational efficiency.

3. Negative Impacts of Analog Systems: A notable 93.3% of those using analog methods recognized that these practices hindered their operational efficiency, with 66.7% identifying communication and information transfer with industrial physicians as the most burdensome task.

4. Additional Costs Post-Implementation: About 90% of respondents acknowledged that inefficiencies and inadequate operational support led to unanticipated additional costs. A staggering 42.9% reported feeling “strongly” that such costs were a direct result of their existing service setup.

5. Dissatisfaction with Current Support: Around 80% expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing support from their industrial physician services. Specifically, 24.1% reported being “very dissatisfied” with the support provided, while an additional 52.7% “somewhat dissatisfied.”

6. Demand for Comprehensive Solutions: Over 90% of respondents emphasized the need for not just efficient health management systems, but comprehensive support that includes practical operational assistance and expertise.

Evaluating the Quality of Industrial Physicians

In selecting industrial physicians, 64.3% placed high importance on compliance with legal frameworks, while 55.4% noted the necessity of their knowledge and experience. Additionally, effective communication skills were deemed crucial, with 50.9% highlighting this quality as significant. This data suggests that while cost considerations are prevalent, other factors, especially related to quality and compliance, should not be overlooked during selection.

Conclusion

The findings from this survey underscore that while companies are initially drawn to industrial physician services based largely on cost and legal compliance, they often encounter operational challenges that lead to efficiency losses and increased expenses. Organizations, particularly those hiring industrial physicians for the first time, would benefit from assessing not only costs but also the potential for system efficiencies, expert operational support, and physician quality to prevent future complications and expenses.

Expert Insight

Shuhei Osawa, Director of Marketing at Mediplat, commented on the findings, acknowledging that while cost sensitivity is natural, neglecting the significance of operational support post-implementation can increase risks and costs. He emphasized that industrial physician services should transcend mere compliance, functioning as valuable resources for enhancing organizational performance through employee health support.

To address these challenges, Mediplat has designed services like online consultations, industrial physician visits, and stress check systems to offer support beyond basic system introductions, ensuring companies receive adequate assistance in operational phases.

By focusing on long-term partnerships that prioritize comprehensive support rather than just price, organizations can optimize both their overall expenses and health management outcomes.