An English needs analysis of doctors and nurses in rural Japan
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Date (from‐to) : 2015/04 -2018/03
Author : Willey Ian David
English skills are claimed to be important to medical professionals in Japan; however, surprisingly few English needs analyses of Japanese doctors and nurses have been conducted. This study used questionnaires and interviews to ascertain the English needs of doctors and nurses at hospitals in Kagawa and Okayama Prefectures. Over 2,000 questionnaires were collected, and 20 interviews were conducted. It was revealed that doctors use English primarily for reading, whereas nurses use it mainly for speaking. Encounters with foreign patients, especially native English speakers, are relatively rare. However, both doctors and nurses feel medical/nursing students need greater training in English speaking. Also, doctors are interested in in-service English learning programs, though nurses expressed greater ambivalence. Findings from this study will help improve English curricula for medical and nursing students and extablish in-service programs for doctors and nurses.