Telemedicine for paediatric rheumatic diseases in Japan: a national survey of physicians’ perspectives

Yuzaburo Inoue; Takayuki Kishi; Tomomi Sato; Kazuko Yamazaki; Shigeru Iwata; Asami Abe; Ken-ei Sada; Eiichi TANAKA; Keiichiro Nishida; Atsushi Kawakami; Yutaka Kawahito; Takako Miyamae

doi:10.1093/mr/roaf075

journal article Aug 06, 2025

Telemedicine for paediatric rheumatic diseases in Japan: a national survey of physicians’ perspectives

Yuzaburo Inoue

Takayuki Kishi Tomomi Sato Kazuko Yamazaki Shigeru Iwata Asami Abe Ken-ei Sada Eiichi TANAKA

Keiichiro Nishida

Atsushi Kawakami Yutaka Kawahito

Takako Miyamae

Modern Rheumatology Vol. 36 No. 1 pp. 83-89 · Oxford University Press (OUP)

View at Publisher Save 10.1093/mr/roaf075

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives
This study assessed the needs, perceptions, and challenges associated with telemedicine in the treatment of oligoarticular/polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA/pJIA) and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) in Japan.

Methods
A nationwide survey was conducted using Google Forms targeting members of the Japan College of Rheumatology, the Paediatric Rheumatology Association of Japan, and paediatricians affiliated with core paediatric specialty training facilities.

Results
Responses were received from 128 physicians, with 77%, 50%, 27%, and 21% of patients travelling for more than 1 hour, crossing prefectural borders, coming from areas with limited specialised care, and residing in remote islands and regions, respectively. JCR board-certified rheumatologists are more likely to treat these patients. Telemedicine was expected to reduce travel time (92.2%) and consultation time (92.2%), while concerns included patients’ preference for in-person consultations (89.8%) and perceived differences in the quality of care (86.7%). Telemedicine was supported by 71.9% of respondents for stable oJIA/pJIA cases and 76.3% for stable cSLE cases.

Conclusions
Many physicians support telemedicine for patients with oJIA/pJIA or cSLE who travel long distances. Further studies should explore the quality differences between telemedicine and in-person consultations.

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References

4

[1]

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2024)

[2]

Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (2023)

[3]

Thurah "2022 EULAR points to consider for remote care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases" Ann Rheum Dis (2022) 10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-222341

[4]

Japanese Federation of Medical Associations (2024)

Metrics

3

Citations

4

References

Details

Published: Aug 06, 2025
Vol/Issue: 36(1)
Pages: 83-89
License: View

Authors

Y

Yuzaburo Inoue

Department of General Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University , Chiba ,

T

Takayuki Kishi

Department of Paediatrics, Tokyo Women’s Medical University , Tokyo ,

T

Tomomi Sato

Clinical Education Center for Physicians, Shiga University of Medical Science , Shiga ,

K

Kazuko Yamazaki

Department of Rheumatology and Allergology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine , Kanagawa ,

S

Shigeru Iwata

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Wakayama Medical University , Wakayama ,

A

Asami Abe

Department of Rheumatology, Niigata Rheumatic Center , Niigata ,

K

Ken-ei Sada

Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University , Kochi ,

E

Eiichi TANAKA

Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine , Tokyo ,

K

Keiichiro Nishida

Locomotive Pain Center, Faculty of Medical Development Field, Okayama University , Okayama ,

A

Atsushi Kawakami

Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Division of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki ,

Y

Yutaka Kawahito

Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto ,

T

Takako Miyamae

Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine , Tokyo ,; Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital , Tokyo ,

Funding

Japan Research Group of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Award: 24FE0401

Cite This Article

Yuzaburo Inoue, Takayuki Kishi, Tomomi Sato, et al. (2025). Telemedicine for paediatric rheumatic diseases in Japan: a national survey of physicians’ perspectives. Modern Rheumatology, 36(1), 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf075

Telemedicine for paediatric rheumatic diseases in Japan: a national survey of physicians’ perspectives

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