Experience gained from volunteer activities related to pediatric medicine by college students aiming to become healthcare professionals

Abstract

　To examine the significance and outcomes of experiencing volunteer activities while attending college， a survey was conducted to clarify the experience and learning gained by students from participating in volunteer activities. The subjects were six graduate students with experience of participating in volunteer activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted， in which the graduate students were asked about their reasons for participating in activities， their experience and learning gained from the activities， and the impact of experience gained from activities on their current activities as a medical professional.

　The survey revealed that， in addition to understanding children as subjects under their care and learning how to interact with children， volunteer activities taught the students about the current state of pediatric medical facilities， the human environment， and the need for family support.

　With regard to the impact of volunteering on current activities as medical professionals， the graduate students mentioned that they became capable of actively engaging with children and developed a mentality of attempting to engage with patients according to the characteristics of each patient.

　Volunteer activities appeared to allow the graduate students to learn about children’ s characteristics and the situations in which families are placed， expand their understanding of patients in their current workplace as healthcare professionals， and also utilize their knowledge for family support.