Student training and training for professionals that contributes to community rehabilitation in the Amami Islands
Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy
Tabira Takayuki,Kubota Masatomo
- amami
- kikai
- tokunoshima
- amagi
Background and objectives of activities
There are few rehabilitation professionals (particularly occupational therapists) in the Amami Islands, which is an advanced region with a very high proportion of elderly people, so it is essential to improve community rehabilitation so that people can continue to live in the areas they are familiar with. With financial support from the university, we will conduct training activities for students from the university, including those from the Amami region, and for professionals and ordinary citizens, in order to train the next generation of rehabilitation professionals and others.
Summary of Activities
From 2022, with the support of internal funding, we began clinical training for fourth-year undergraduates and community occupational therapy training for second-year undergraduates, with the aim of developing human resources to expand interest in and the importance of remote island medical care and welfare. In 2023, we held public lectures for the general public in Amami City, training sessions for rehabilitation professionals in Tokunoshima Town, and public training sessions supported by welfare companies in Kikai Town. We also plan to hold student training sessions in 2024-27.
Expected Benefits
By training the next generation of occupational therapists for the Amami Islands, supporting rehabilitation workers currently working in the field, and conducting educational activities for local residents, we believe we can contribute to prevention and the rebuilding of lives in an aging society.