Message from the Director
The First Step as a Physician, Starting at Keio University Hospital
Program Director, Hospital Director: Koichi Fukunaga
At Keio University Hospital, our philosophy is to "provide patient-centered medical care that is kind to patients and trusted by patients." Embodying this philosophy in each area of clinical practice, research, and education is by no means easy. However, we want to support each and every one of you through your training so that you can understand this philosophy as a tangible reality and make it the guiding principle for your own medical practice.
The first step as a resident is a period to cultivate basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes, regardless of the clinical department. But that is not all. Compassion for the patient's perspective, an attitude that values team medicine, cooperation with various professions, and the ethics to act responsibly are also essential elements that should be firmly learned during this period of training. At our hospital, we have created an environment where you can acquire these through practice by engaging in daily clinical care alongside a diverse team of instructors, nurses, and medical staff.
Furthermore, as a strength of a university hospital, we have many faculty members who are known domestically and internationally as specialists and researchers, providing abundant opportunities to encounter cases that are difficult to diagnose and treat, as well as advanced medical care. Regardless of which clinical department or specialty you choose in the future, the ability to cultivate a multifaceted perspective and deep insight is a major advantage of training at our hospital.
The medical environment has been changing rapidly in recent years. The abilities required of physicians are diverse, including advanced medical technology, the utilization of ICT, the clinical application of research results, and collaboration with community healthcare. This is precisely why our clinical training program aims to go beyond simple basic training to cultivate the comprehensive strength necessary for future physicians. We are working to strengthen our educational system, expand our training facilities, and enhance our instructional framework, and we want to provide a place where residents can learn and take on challenges with peace of mind.
Finally, when you enter society as a physician, the difficulties you face in clinical settings will not be few. However, polishing yourself through training and growing step-by-step as a "medical professional who can think, act, and give their all for the sake of the patient" will surely become a source of pride for you. I sincerely hope that your training at our hospital will serve as the foundation for such growth.
I look forward to sharing this path of learning with many of you who possess great ambition.
Message from the Center Director
Take Your First Step as a Physician at Keio University Hospital with Enthusiastic Instructors and Peers!
Director of the Postgraduate Medical Education Center: Shintaro Yamaguchi
My name is Shintaro Yamaguchi, and I was appointed Director of the Postgraduate Medical Education Center in October 2025. I graduated from the Keio University School of Medicine in 2005 and took my first step as a physician in the Community-University Rotation Program at Keio University Hospital. In my first year, I trained at a community hospital with a traditional downtown atmosphere. While I was overwhelmed by the knowledge and judgment of my instructors backed by experience, I also learned much from their warm attitude toward the patients' backgrounds and lives. Keeping the teaching "just go to the bedside" in my heart, I continued to visit the wards and was able to gradually build relationships of trust with patients. My days as a resident, where I strongly felt that both logical thinking and compassion are indispensable for a physician, remain the starting point that supports my attitude as a doctor today.
As the saying goes, "the soul of a three-year-old lasts until a hundred," where and how you spend your initial clinical training will greatly influence your subsequent life as a physician. In addition to acquiring basic clinical skills, it is also important to cultivate ethics as a medical professional. These will become an unshakeable foundation regardless of which clinical department you enter in the future. The experience of facing the heavy responsibility of being entrusted with a patient's life head-on, without running away, leads to great growth as a physician.
In recent years, an increasing number of people are choosing to train at community hospitals. The ability to experience a wealth of cases and procedures is a major attraction. On the other hand, the strength unique to a university hospital is the environment where you can immediately consult with Japan's leading experts in various fields when faced with difficult cases. Furthermore, being able to experience a wide range of clinical departments thoroughly is a great help in deciding your future specialty. Additionally, experiencing cutting-edge research in medical sciences firsthand will be a great stimulus. At Keio University Hospital, we will maximize the Keio Medical Alliance network to create a system where we can pour even more enthusiasm into resident education.
Training does not progress passively. Clarify your own challenges and do not hesitate to consult those around you when you are in trouble. To ensure these two years become the days that support your future, we at the Postgraduate Medical Education Center will fully support your challenges and strive to be the strength that helps you stand up again when you face difficulties.