Chiikiwaku is a measure to improve the maldistribution and shortage of physicians in rural areas in Japan. Although Chiikiwaku quota seats have been on the rise, a considerable number of young physicians and medical students return their loans and do not fulfill their duty periods for several important reasons, including an obligation term lasting for 9 years. The number of medical students who do not apply for admission to the Chiikiwaku quota has increased, and vacancies have developed in some medical schools. Urgent modification of this program is therefore required to make it suitable for actual situations of both rural medical care and the education of young physicians.
Keywords: medical school; physician maldistribution; postgraduate medical education; student loan.
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