Since April 1992 we have introduced a beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhalation therapy with a large spacer for patients with bronchial asthma who were admitted to the internal medicine department of our hospital because of the exacerbation of asthma.
To find out the effect of this BDP inhalation therapy, we investigated the number of emergency room visits by the patients with bronchial asthma who had been admitted to our hospital with asthmatic attacks before and after the introduction of the new therapy.
From April 1991 to March 1994, the proportion of asthma patients decreased significantly (p<0.05): from April 1991 to March 1992 (before the introduction of the BDP inhalation therapy) 10.4±3.0%; from April 1992 to March 1993 5.3±1.4%, from April 1993 to March 1994 3.7±1.4%.
We checked the inhalation technique of 21 patients who visited our hospital regularly during the same period. The BDP therapy could decrease the number of emergency-room visits by 10 patients whose inhalation technique was imperfect, as well as by the other 11 patients whose inhalation technique was perfect.

A survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to 466 doctors working at nine hospitals affiliated with the Aichi Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives for Health and Welfare (Kohseiren).
The survey found that the length of service was under 5 years in 60% of the respondents and that many of them identified themselves strongly with the department of the teaching hospital where they were trained.
They were found to be little intersted in the present situation of the agricultural cooperatives and Japanese agriculture. However, they said they were satisfied with the present working conditions, because they could show their skills. Most approved of organ transplants after brain death but disapproved of human cloning. They showed a positive attitude toward the allowing of each patient to give access to his or her clinical records and standardization of medical treatment. Some 67% of the doctors admitted they had made medical mistakes and keenly realized the necessity of risk management.
While feeling uneasy about the recent upsurge of lawsuits brought by patients about medical treatment, they said they are endeavoring to provide safe and high quality medical service. Their recent concerns were rearrangement of dispensaries based on the subspecialty, reinforcement of postgraduate courses in medical schools and the postgraduate training system which will be a legal obligation from 2005. They suported the reform plans for the national medical service for aged patients and recognized the necessity of joining hands with local agricultural cooperatives in providing nursing care services. They said they wish to continue their career as a physican at the Kohseiren hospital.