Actual Status and Issues of the Medical Relief System for Important Persons

Introduction: There has been an increase in murders and attempted murders of important persons over the past few years. Assault on important persons is a form of terrorism, and it is necessary to minimize damage for the sake of social peace and order. Healthcare providers (HCPs) are required to respond quickly to save lives when an incident occurs. However, no data have shown whether HCPs and medical institutions are adequately prepared. We conducted a survey on the current status of the medical system for responding to assaults on important persons. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among physicians on the largest medical portal site in Japan. The questionnaires are: A. Experience in receiving request to deal with injuries and/or illness of important persons, B. Specific preparation for providing treatment, C. Capability of dealing with injuries of important persons at your medical institutions, D. Treatment experience for injured important persons, and E. Evaluation of the medical system for important persons in Japan. Participants were asked to give anonymous responses. Results: A total of 1091 physicians participated in this survey. A. Of the 1091 participants, 78 physicians (7.1%) have received the request, B. Of those, 51 physicians (65.4%) had made specific preparations, C. 109 physicians (10.0%) responded that the medical system was in place, D. Only 18 physicians (1.6%) had experience treatment both gunshot and stab wounds, and E. 58 physicians (5.3%) answered that the medical system has been established. It has become clear that there are very few physicians who can provide proper medical care to injured important persons, and the system has not been well established either. Conclusion: In order to protect society from the threat of terrorism, further efforts to establish a system that can provide appropriate medical care to injured persons are required.