Since 2017, the Okayama University School of Medicine has been participating in the HMEP Hawaii Medical Education Program, which is organized by JrSr, a general incorporated association founded by Junji Machi from the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, Office of International Medicine.

Overview of HMEP（http://jrsr.or.jp/）

Goal

1. Standardize Japanese medical education to international standards and foster physicians who can excel globally.
2. Serve as a role model for American-style medical education in Japan and extend its influence beyond universities to the entire nation.
3. Promote medical education exchange between Japan and the U.S.
4. Share the strengths of Japanese medical education with the world.

Method

• Introduce the U.S.-style clinical clerkship (clinical training) from the University of Hawaii’s medical school curriculum. The existing curriculums, credit acquisition, graduation qualifications, and national examination eligibility in each university will be maintained (each university can officially issue credits for the training, which has been confirmed by the Ministry of Education).
• From the first year to the first half of the fourth year, extracurricular classes (Open Cross Class) will be held every Saturday. For clinical clerkship from the fourth to sixth year, a small number of selected students from each school, around 10 or fewer, will participate in the HMEP Clinical Clerkship together with students from other universities. Students will participate in medical care as “Student Doctors.”

Characteristics

• Students are given the highest priority, with educators as the second priority.
• Emphasis on balancing science and art in education.
• Focus on mastering six core competencies for physicians.
• The education values openness, cross-cultural, cross-institutional, exchange, and diversity, avoiding political or closed-minded influences.
• Provide the latest U.S. medical education, with full support from the University of Hawaii.

Vision

Based on the belief that globalization involves a two-way interaction between Japan and the world, HMEP will be gradually integrated into Japanese medical schools. Through the international standardization of medical education, we aim to elevate Japan’s overall educational quality and increase the number of physicians with international competence and awareness. These physicians will not only be a source of pride for Japan’s healthcare system but will also be supported in pursuing careers globally if they wish.

In support of this initiative, many students are currently registering to participate in HMEP and attending the Open Cross Class (which was held online in 2020-2021). In 2021, four sixth-year students participated in U.S.-style clinical training at Shizuoka Medical Center.

HMEP registered students

Grade	登録人数
6th	13
5th	6
4th	42
3th	22
2th	61
1th	30