[2026 Golden Week Survey] Approx. 60% of Respondents Experienced 'Holiday Medical Care Refugee' Status; Online Consultations Recommended for Long Holidays

Patient-Centered Clinic (located in Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo) provides online medical consultations 365 days a year, including Sundays and public holidays, starting from the first visit.

Ahead of the 2026 Golden Week holidays, the clinic conducted a 'Survey on Healthcare Access during Holidays' among 364 men and women nationwide aged 20s to 60s who have used the clinic's online services. The results shed light on the reality of medical access during consecutive holidays and introduced a 'Doctor-Supervised Preparation List' to avoid becoming a 'Holiday Medical Care Refugee.'

Background of the Survey:
An analysis of the clinic's performance during last year's Golden Week (GW) period (April 29 to May 6) showed that the average daily number of new patients increased by approximately 136% compared to the non-holiday period. Sudden medical needs for internal medicine, such as fevers, were particularly prominent. The demand for online medical care increased as a resource for 'first-time' patients forced to seek medical institutions other than their regular doctors during the holidays.

Survey Summary:
- 60% have experienced being a 'Holiday Medical Care Refugee': 61.1% of respondents said they have had trouble finding a medical institution that would see them on holidays or during consecutive holidays. Women in their 30s and 40s were the most affected group.
- Dissatisfaction with holiday medical care: The top inconvenience cited for holiday healthcare was 'long wait times' (64.0%), revealing the 'time constraints' of holiday medical services.
- Reasons for choosing 'Online Consultation' on holidays: Support for 'freedom of waiting time' and 'consultation hours from early morning to late night.'

Detailed Results:
1. Approx. 60% experienced 'Holiday Medical Care Refugee' status. Women in their 30s-40s are the most affected.
When asked if they have experienced being unable to find a medical institution immediately despite sudden illness during holidays or long breaks, 61.1% replied 'Yes.' By demographic, 73.2% of women in their 30s and 72.4% of women in their 40s reported such difficulties, indicating a significant struggle for these age groups.

2. The #1 inconvenience of holiday medical care is 'long wait times.' Time constraints are manifest.
Regarding the inconveniences of in-person holiday medical care, 'long wait times (64.0%)' was the most common answer, followed by 'unable to find a holiday clinic (45.9%)' and 'short clinic operating hours (28.8%).' Free-response comments included stories of being unable to get a consultation because first-come slots filled up early or having to line up from early morning because phone reservations were unavailable. There were also cases where the available holiday clinic did not match the required specialty.

3. Online consultations are chosen for 'freedom from waiting' and 'long operating hours.'
The most cited advantage of online consultations available on weekends and holidays was 'being able to spend the waiting time at home (83.2%),' followed by 'the ability to choose from a wide range of hours from early morning to late night (74.5%).' Approximately 80% of those who felt inconvenienced by long wait times and short business hours at physical clinics selected these benefits, showing that online consultations are highly valued as a solution to the time constraints of holiday medical care.