Nearly 40% of People Feel the Medical Staff Shortage Locally; Over Half Fear Increased Wait Times

Staff Shortages Felt at Pharmacies and Hospitals: The Impact May Be Closer Than We Think

When visiting a hospital or pharmacy, have you ever thought, 'The wait seems unusually long today'? Seeing staff rushing around might have prompted some to imagine a shortage of personnel.

The shortage of medical professionals may seem like a distant issue heard on the news, but it is actually a challenge that is slowly beginning to affect our daily lives.

Therefore, in collaboration with 'Oshigoto Lab', a workplace search service for pharmacists, we conducted a survey on 'Awareness of Work Style Reform and Human Resource Shortages among Pharmacists and Medical Professionals' targeting 500 men and women nationwide.

*When quoting the contents of this press release, please accommodate the following: - State that the source is a 'Survey by NEXER Inc. and Oshigoto Lab, a workplace search for pharmacists' - Include a link to Oshigoto Lab (https://www.oshigoto-lab.com/)

Survey Overview: 'Awareness of Work Style Reform and Human Resource Shortages among Pharmacists and Medical Professionals' Survey method: Internet questionnaire Survey period: April 10 - April 20, 2026 Target respondents: Men and women nationwide Valid responses: 500 samples

Questions: Question 1: Have you ever felt that there is a 'shortage of staff' or 'long waiting times' for various reasons at your local pharmacies, hospitals, or drugstores? Question 2: In your daily life, do you feel that the shortage of medical professionals is being discussed as a social issue? Question 3: If the shortage of medical professionals (pharmacists, nurses, doctors, etc.) worsens, what impact do you think it will have on your life? (Multiple answers allowed) Question 4: Have you ever felt a sense of security when attended to continuously by the same pharmacist or medical staff at a medical institution? Question 5: Please tell us the reason. Question 6: Do you think an environment where medical professionals can continue to work reasonably affects the quality of medical services? Question 7: Please tell us the reason. *As a rule, percentages are rounded to one decimal place, so the total may not equal 100%.

41.6% Answered They Have 'Felt Staff Shortages or Long Waiting Times' at Local Pharmacies and Hospitals

First, we asked whether they have ever felt a 'shortage of staff' or 'long waiting times' at the medical institutions they use in their daily lives, such as local pharmacies, hospitals, and drugstores.

The results showed that 14.4% said 'often' and 27.2% said 'sometimes', meaning a combined 41.6% of respondents have felt staff shortages or long waiting times. On the other hand, 27.6% said 'not often' and 30.8% said 'not at all', indicating a certain number of people are not particularly concerned.

While the impact may vary depending on the size, location, and congestion of the medical institution, it seems to be becoming a situation that cannot be ignored as an issue felt on a daily basis.

40.6% Answered They Feel the Medical Staff Shortage is 'Talked About' in Daily Life

Next, we asked if they feel the shortage of medical professionals is being discussed as a social issue in their daily lives.

The results showed that 11.2% 'feel it often' and 29.4% 'feel it sometimes', indicating that a combined 40.6% of people encounter this topic in some context. Conversely, 34.6% 'do not feel it much' and 24.8% 'do not feel it at all', showing that an almost equal percentage find it hard to be aware of in their daily lives.

While the issue is communicated through news and reports, opportunities for it to be discussed as a topic directly connected to one's own life may still be limited.

51.8% Answered 'Increased Waiting Times' as the Impact of Staff Shortages

Next, we asked what impact they think a worsening shortage of medical professionals (pharmacists, nurses, doctors, etc.) would have on their lives.

The most common answer was 'waiting times will increase' at 51.8%. This was followed by 'harder to receive medical care in rural areas' at 37.0%, 'pharmacies and hospitals will close or shrink' at 32.2%, and 'unable to receive polite response and explanation' at 30.0%.

The results line up anxieties regarding the burden of time first, followed by the potential loss of medical access itself. The staff shortage is perceived not just as a matter of 'not enough staff', but as an issue that extends to regional healthcare and the quality of medical treatment.

51.2% Answered They 'Feel a Sense of Security' When Continuously Attended to by the Same Staff

Next, we asked if they have ever felt a sense of security when continuously attended to by the same pharmacist or medical staff at a medical institution.

The result '