Doctors to be tested on patient relations

[Guest guest]

Wednesday 2nd February, 2005 Big News Network.com (UPI)

Doctors to be tested on patient relations

Japan's medical students, beginning next year, will be required to

take an exam on how to deal with patients, the government announced.

From the next academic year starting April 1, all fourth-year medical

students at the nation's 108 medical schools will have to take an

exam on how to communicate with patients. If they fail the test, they

may be prevented from moving on in their studies.

Until now, Japanese doctors have not had to take any formal test on

physician-patient relations, although most schools have been teaching

the subject. By making the patient relation exam mandatory, the

government hopes to improve patients' trust in their doctors.

[Guest guest]

sure wish they would test our doctors here.