Actual status of application of radiation medicare fee to outpatients. Results of questionnaire by Japanese society for therapeutic radiology and oncology

The fee in the title was newly enacted in 2012 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the concerned society (JASTRO, in the title) conducted the questionnaire to investigate the actual application status of the fee in the early September. The questionnaire was sent to 160 delegates of JASTRO, and 90 (56.3%) of whom replied within the month. Their facilities had av. 389 (40-1,040) outpatients. Results revealed that the system, although it had been newly established, was widely recognized by as many as 97.8% of radiological expert doctors. Most doctors reported the difficulty, confusion and, especially in those with >5 years experience of radiation therapy who had to examine the patient, increased load for actual application of the system, and wished the improvement of prerequisite items like the strict periodic once weekly examination of patients and concurrent method of fee computation. They thought that even several-day gap could be occasionally allowed for the weekly examination and observation of patients (93.3% of doctors) for their safety maintenance, and less experienced expert doctors could do the works if only under the supervision of experienced doctor (83.3%). The created system was favorably accepted since the doctors thought the fee could contribute to future progress of radiation therapy. Doctors' wishes above should be taken in consideration at the chance of revising the system. (T.T.)