Efforts of Medical Associations to Support Home Care Services: The Cases of Ichikawa City and Chiba Prefecture Medical Associations.

In order to firmly establish and expand home care in communities, it is important to build systems taking regional characteristics into account in which the family physician trusted by the patient plays the leading role and affiliations with district medical associations and the municipality form the base. At the same time, prefectural medical associations should utilize the unique features of each region as they support the home care systems promoted by district medical associations with an individualized approach, rather than with uniform aid. As examples of home care initiatives driven by medical associations, I will introduce the community supply center for home care equipment and materials, a program run by the Ichikawa City Medical Association, and the home care support program run by the Chiba Prefecture Medical Association in line with the community medical revitalization plan.