Medical Corporation Jououkai Yuu Mental Skin Clinic Group

Interviewee: Dr. Yasuda, Dr. AkazawaTaito-ku, Tokyo / Psychosomatic Medicine, Psychiatry

Easier Management of Vast Amounts of Data from Multiple Facilities

Yuu Mental Skin Clinic Group, which operates multiple clinics in the Kanto and Kansai regions, strives to be a patient-friendly clinic. Following the opening of its Kobe Sannomiya clinic in May 2024, the group plans to open a new clinic in Kyoto in October of the same year. In this interview, we spoke with Dr. Yasuda, the chairman of the board of directors of the group, and Dr. Akazawa, the Manager, about the introduction of BrainBox and their experience using it.

First of all, could you give us an overview of the Jououkai Medical Corporation Group?

The group began in 2008 when I opened “Yuu Mental Clinic”, a psychosomatic and psychiatric clinic in Ueno, Tokyo. Currently, we operate 11 Yuu Mental Clinics, 4 Yuu Skin Clinics specializing in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology, and the Yuu Rework Center, which provides return-to-work support, is operational at 3 Yuu Mental Clinics. Some of our mental clinics have a system of six to seven consultation rooms per clinic and 200 to 300 psychiatrists on staff, including locum physicians.

Staff of Medical Corporation Jououkai Yuu Mental Skin

How many patients do you see per clinic each day?

We see around 40 to 50 patients on days with fewer patients, but on busy days—especially Saturdays and after major holidays—we may see as many as 400 to 500 patients. We strive to ensure that consultations run smoothly, even when handling high volumes of patients. For example, when there are 400 patients, we may have 7 to 8 doctors working to see them.

Isn’t the performance of electronic medical records also crucial for efficiently handling a large number of patients?

Yes, exactly. The electronic medical record system we previously used was designed for a single physician, and as we increased the number of doctors, the system became overloaded. Whenever an issue arose, recovering and optimizing the data required significant effort. Currently, we have installed BrainBox V III and IV by YUYAMA in eight facilities, and we feel reassured knowing that the system operates reliably without downtime. Even at our Saitama and Omiya clinics, which have particularly high volumes of patients, the introduction of this system has significantly improved the efficiency of our consultations.

How did you learn about our products? Also, what were the key factors that led you to choose our electronic medical record system?

We discovered YUYAMA while searching online for manufacturers that provide electronic medical record systems. After comparing various products, we chose BrainBox because it best matched our clinic’s workflow and operational style. Implementing the system required a major transition, but thanks to YUYAMA’s support, the process went smoothly, and we were extremely grateful for their assistance.

How do you feel about the actual use of our electronic medical record system after its implementation?

Our previous electronic medical record system had a risk of data loss due to malfunctions, and we were concerned about security. When adopting the new system, enhancing security was a top priority, so we are very pleased to have switched to YUYAMA’s system, which includes robust security measures. For added convenience, we use the system in conjunction with another company’s software, and our staff is highly satisfied with how smoothly the two systems integrate. Some staff members were initially concerned about potential issues when adopting a new system, but YUYAMA’s excellent support has given them peace of mind.

Dr. Akazawa, Manager

What do medical secretaries, the primary users of electronic medical records, think about the usability and functionality of our system?

When we asked a medical secretary, she shared the following feedback: “With the old electronic medical record system, I had to memorize all the doctors’ diagnostic terms and manually enter the findings. However, with the YUYAMA electronic medical record, I can automatically input disease names and findings at once with the push of a button, which is incredibly convenient. Additionally, the ability to register frequently prescribed medications in batches makes the process much smoother, allowing me to complete medical records effortlessly with just one click.”

How do the reception and accounting clerks feel about the system replacement?

The system allows frequently used items to be registered as shortcut buttons on the screen, making it intuitive and easy to operate. One staff member commented, “This feature has reduced the time needed to send a patient from reception to consultation by half.” Another staff member noted: “The buttons are well-organized, making procedures easy to follow and efficient, allowing me to focus on more time-consuming tasks, such as revising independence support documents.” Others also mentioned: “The YUYAMA electronic medical record system makes it easy to track patient status, enabling prompt accounting and prescription processing immediately after the consultation.”

What are your impressions of “MDbank” pharmaceutical database, a standard feature of BrainBox VIII and IV, and how do you find it in actual use?

Previously, we relied on paper dictionaries and computer-based dictionary software that required manual updates. In contrast, “MDbank” is automatically updated once a month, so staff members mentioned that it is convenient and easy to use without any hassle.

What improvements would you like to see in BrainBoxV III and IV in the future?

A feature that enables data analysis of medical records and the automated creation of documents and forms based on that data would help reduce staff workload and streamline operations further. Additionally, a staff member responsible for handling receipts across multiple facilities each month suggested: ” It would be very helpful if the extraction criteria for calculation items could be based on the calculation date rather than the receipt, as this would significantly enhance operational efficiency.”

Your philosophy is centered around the phrase, ‘When you are in pain, Provide immediate and prompt medical care..’ Could you share the thoughts behind this message from Dr. Yasuda, as well as your vision for the future?

At the time of our founding, the demand for psychosomatic medicine was increasing, and most clinics had waiting times of one to two months for initial consultations because doctors could not keep up with the growing number of patients. Concerned about this situation, we established Yuu Mental Clinic with the philosophy of “When you are in pain, Provide immediate and prompt medical care,” aiming to create a clinic where patients can be seen as soon as today or tomorrow. Moving forward, we remain committed to this philosophy as we expand our clinics to various regions, focusing on providing care that helps ease the burden of patients who are struggling right now—even if just a little. Additionally, we aim to explore broader initiatives that bring peace of mind, such as counseling services. We also look forward to meeting doctors and staff who resonate with our mission and are eager to work alongside us.

 

Thank you for your time today.

Clinic Profile

Yuu Mental Skin Clinic Group places great emphasis on accessibility, ensuring that all its clinics are located within a three-minute walk from the nearest station. This reflects their unwavering patient-first philosophy: "When you are in pain, Provide immediate and prompt medical care."

Despite his tight schedule, Dr. Yasuda graciously made time for this interview. His warm and gentle demeanor throughout the conversation helped create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

(Information as of October 2024)

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