| Theme | Dialysis Therapy in Aging Society -- Current Status and Involved Problems | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Aging Japanese society and the related medical expense | |
| Publish Date | 2007/07 | |
| Author | Seiji Ohira | Sapporo Kita Clinic |
| [ Summary ] | The declining birthrate and aging population have become increasingly apparent in Japan. Fewer children limit economic resources and an aging society increases medical expenses. These two factors have a profound impact on medicine. Dialysis therapy is undoubtedly one of the representative fields for the elderly, and the biennial revision of medical expense reimbursement has brought dialysis medicine to a critical point, endangering the quality of dialysis medicine in this country. There is a strong desire that the new reimbursement system for the elderly over 75 years of age, which is planned to start in April 2008, will not result in a decline of medical quality, exclusion of the elderly from hospitals or withholding or withdrawing of necessary therapy for the elderly. A well thought out strategy must be drafted for the efficient use of the limited medical resources. |
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