PURPOSE
In this rapid changing society and medical practice, the professionalism in the management of a hospital is being required. However, most physicians do not have the opportunity for systematic training for management and business. The difficulties perceived by private practitioners in their real practices are surveyed in order to assess the need for education course on Management & Business in medical school. METHODS: From February 3rd, 2003 to February 20th, 2003, 2, 381 private practitioners participated in the nation-wide internet questionnaire, of which the response rate was 7.1% (168 persons). The contents of the survey include 9 criteria, which consist of problems of hospital management, the present method of management, the demand for Management & Business course, and the need for commencement of education course. RESULTS: More than 50% of the physicians who answered this questionnaire expressed difficulties in some criteria such as accounting, taxation business, and management of hospital staffs. Many physicians (66 persons; 39.3%) suggested lack of knowledge of management & business or such skills as the reason for it.
Most of them dealt with these difficulties by discussing these matters with their colleagues (96 persons; 57.1%) or by themselves according to their own experiences (44 persons; 26.2%). Eighty two percent of respondents approved of establishing the new subject, Management & Business course and its education. In this survey, patient management, marketing, and tax-related fields were chosen as the most needed fields for education. CONCLUSION: It was revealed that most private practitioners realized the importance of the ability in Management & Business and agreed with the need for experiencing systematic education during medical education. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the in - depth research about establishing Management & Business course in medical school.
