In Japan, the concept of primary care practice is not as well established or recognized as it has in some other countries. Recognizing this disparity and responding to a need to provide busy physicians in Japan with updated information on disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, the St. Luke's Life Science Institute partnered with HMI. The goal was to expose physicians to state-of-the-art primary care practice and provide interactive, evidence-based continuing medical education.


HMI and St. Luke's Life Science Institute have held three Practi-Med programs, each attended by more than 300 physicians:

  • September 2002: The first Practi-Med course, held in Tokyo, featured discussions on a range of topics, including asthma, depression, antibiotic use, and cardiovascular disease.
  • September 2003: The second Practi-Med course, held in Kyoto, also featured discussions on asthma, depression, antibiotic use, and cardiovascular disease, among other topics.
  • October 2004: The third Practi-Med course, held in Yokohama, addressed hypertension, HIV prevention, pregnancy, osteoporosis, and clinical quality.


Several physicians who attended Practi-Med programs in Japan expressed hope that more programs like Practi-Med will be made available to them, and that the concepts behind primary care practice will become more widespread in Japan. The next Practi-Med Japan program is scheduled for October 23, 2005. The topics discussed will include cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.