Survey on the Medical Care and Daily Life of Patients 'Intractable Diseases' in Shimane Prefecture

An interview survey on the medical care and daily life of 128 patients of 'intractable diseases' in Shimane Prefecture was carried out in 1977. Seventy-one (55.4%) of the patients regarded the medical care in various institutions as quite satisfactory. Ninety-three patients (72.7%) went to hospital as out-patients. Concerning the difficulties of their daily life,42.7% could lead an ordinary life, but more than half had some hindrance. Of the latter group only 15.6% were in-patients, and 84.4% were out-patients. Long-term medical care and more attentive guidance by expert physicians and public health nurses is urgently required for these out-patients.