1.
family doctor; regular doctor; primary care physician
A doctor that a patient regularly visits and who is familiar with their medical history. The Japanese healthcare system encourages patients to have a regular doctor for non-emergency care.
I got a referral letter from my family doctor and went to a large hospital.
Composed of かかりつけ (regularly visiting/attending) + 医 (doctor). The concept is central to Japanese healthcare, where patients are encouraged to establish a relationship with a local clinic doctor who manages their ongoing health and provides referrals to specialists or hospitals when needed.
Common collocations
- かかりつけ医に相談する: to consult one's family doctor
- かかりつけ医を持つ: to have a family doctor
- かかりつけ医を見つける: to find a family doctor
- かかりつけ医からの紹介状: referral letter from one's family doctor
Similar words
- 主治医: attending physician — the doctor in charge of a specific treatment or condition
- 担当医: doctor in charge — the physician assigned to a patient, especially in a hospital
- ホームドクター: home doctor — the English loanword, less common than かかりつけ医
Cultural note
In Japan, large hospitals often charge an extra fee (選定療養費) for patients who visit without a referral from a かかりつけ医. This system encourages patients to see their local doctor first.