New Perspective on Healthcare Worker Health Management: Survey Results with JCA Collaboration Presented at the 76th Japanese Hospital Congress by Dr. Yutaka Kobayashi, Director of Sakura General Hospital

(Left) Mr. Nobunori Iwama, President of Zenkenkai; (Right) Dr. Yutaka Kobayashi, Director of Sakura General Hospital

The Japan Chiropractic Association (JCA) announces that Dr. Yutaka Kobayashi, President of the Medical Corporation Jininkai, Director of Sakura General Hospital, and Advisor to the National Health Promotion Society (Zenkenkai), has presented the results of a survey conducted in collaboration with JCA at the 76th Japanese Hospital Congress.

This presentation analyzed the physical discomfort and turnover among healthcare workers based on a questionnaire survey of medical license holders affiliated with JCA, and reported new perspectives on health management.

Survey Conducted on 111 Medical License Holders

JCA currently has approximately 800 chiropractors who hold or have previously held medical qualifications such as nursing, physical therapy, or judo orthopedic therapy.

This survey targeted 111 medical license holders currently affiliated with JCA, who initially encountered chiropractic care due to their own health issues.

As a result, 76 out of 111 respondents (68.5%) reported symptom relief after receiving chiropractic care. By age group, the majority were working-age individuals in their 30s to 50s, and by profession, nurses were the largest group with 40 respondents.

The Issue of Healthcare Worker Turnover

Among the 76 respondents who experienced symptom relief, 28 (36.8%) continue to work in medical roles, while 48 (63.2%) have left the medical profession. Among the 40 nurses surveyed, 14 (35%) remain working as nurses, while 65% have left the medical field.

While healthcare workplaces are implementing work-style reforms such as reducing overtime and task shifting, this presentation highlighted the need for deeper consideration of care for physical discomfort and pain resulting from daily duties.

Presentation by Director Dr. Yutaka Kobayashi

Dr. Kobayashi emphasized that addressing healthcare worker shortages requires not just encouraging longer employment, but properly managing work-related health issues and guiding individuals toward better health.

He also reported that while efforts to reduce workloads—such as limiting overtime and task shifting—have been ongoing, greater attention must now be paid to managing existing physical discomfort.

Furthermore, he noted that some healthcare workers who did not improve through insurance-covered treatments have turned to alternative therapies, suggesting the need for broader discussions on diverse health management approaches, including alternative medicine.

JCA’s Vision for Collaboration with the Medical Field

Since its establishment in 1991, JCA has worked to promote and develop chiropractic care and improve chiropractors’ knowledge and skills. In recent years, JCA has strengthened its educational systems—such as introducing credit systems—and actively pursued collaborations with medical institutions, as well as research and survey initiatives.

The opportunity to present these survey results at the Japanese Hospital Congress—a major academic forum for medical professionals—through collaboration with Sakura General Hospital, a partner medical institution, has been a valuable step toward deeper mutual understanding between chiropractic and conventional medicine.

Moving forward, JCA will continue to promote education and research and strengthen ties with medical institutions to advance the academic development and social recognition of chiropractic care in Japan, contributing to the nation’s health.

Dr. Yutaka Kobayashi and JCA Representatives

About the Japan Chiropractic Association (JCA)

The Japan Chiropractic Association (JCA) was established in 1991 with the mission of promoting chiropractic care and improving educational standards. With approximately 10,000 members nationwide, JCA advances education, research, and collaboration with medical institutions to enhance the social recognition of chiropractic care in Japan.

※ About this presentation

This presentation reports the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among 111 medical license holders affiliated with JCA. The results are based on self-reported responses and do not constitute a medically verified clinical trial of specific treatment efficacy.