However, Nagoya University Prof. Shintaro Ban conducted research on medical students and identified many problems with aspiring doctors. Medical departments have the most difficult admission requirements under the current university entrance examination system. However, they accept applicants who pass exams without questioning whether they have the required social skills to become doctors. Therefore, it is no surprise that doctors at times lack the ability to empathize with patients. Advantages of the system include the possibility for students to acquire general knowledge during their first four years of studies and gain confidence in their career choice.
Many European countries employ a six-year system, similar to that of Japan.
However, Australia, which like Britain has a five-year system, is gradually shifting toward the U.S. system because it believes it is important that students enter medical schools after reaching a certain level of personal development. Likewise, in Japan, the practice of medical colleges accepting graduates from nonmedical programs must become more widely accepted. In contrast to the United States, knowledge of biology is rarely an entrance exam requirement for medical colleges and departments in Japan. However, it should be mandatory for medical department applicants to take biology tests as part of entrance examinations to ensure that students can follow medical developments. In addition, clinical medical programs should feature more classes that offer practical experience.