Superstition increases Japanese health costs

Modern medical care is based on a scientific tradition, but the health beliefs of patients may have a very different basis. Belief in superstitions relating to the six day lunar calendar is common in Japan and affects many social events. On p 1680 Hira et al report the findings of a retrospective study of hospital discharge dates in Kyoto, Japan. They found that most patients were discharged on Taian, said to be a lucky day, and fewest were discharged on the unlucky day Butsumetsu. The authors conclude that patients extend their stay in hospital so that they are discharged on Taian, and calculate that this costs the hospital 7.4 million yen (£31 000) per year. However, they caution against outright dismissal of such superstitions, warning that this may have a negative effect on some patients' health.


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Relevant Article

Influence of superstition on the date of hospital discharge and medical cost in Japan: retrospective and descriptive study

Kenji Hira, Tsuguya Fukui, Akira Endoh, Mahbubur Rahman, and Munetaka Maekawa
BMJ 1998 317: 1680-1683. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]