A Systematic Development of Brush-up Education for Female Doctors & Nurses
—The Development of Net/Catch-up Programs to Help Female Doctors/Nurses Return to Work after Maternity Leaves—

School of Medicine's Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine's Faculty of Health Sciences,
Gender Equality Promotion Office

This initiative aims to help female doctors (D) and female nurses (N) return to work smoothly after maternity leaves by providing them with the latest information and education. From the viewpoint that childbirth and child rearing are plus factors rather than a blank period in a person's career, a "D & N Brush Up Center" will be set up within Kobe University Hospital to proactively aid female doctors (D) and female nurses (N) make a smooth come back. The following are the two types of programs offered through the center:

Net Program

• Provide on-line courses and information matching D and N's various stages (pregnancy, childbirth, child rearing) of motherhood.
• Introduce role models who are successfully doing both work and childrearing.
• Offer video conference courses.
• Open an online ‘members' only' billboard for D & N to exchange information amongst themselves.

Catch-up Program

Female doctors and nurses can:

• Gain the latest clinical knowledge by auditing lectures given in the Faculty of Medicine/the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine.
• Gain Practical training in clinical skills lab.
• Participate in conferences related to one's field of specialty.
• Attend bedside and outpatient diagnoses.
• Practice on medical information terminals.

Kobe University Hospital and the School of Medicine (Faculty of Medicine/Faculty of Health Sciences) will develop this initiative systematically with the support of the Gender Equality Promotion Office.