A STUDY ON EXPECTATIONS AND ANXIETIES ABOUT PROVIDING "DESIGNATED MEDICAL CARE FOR STUDENTS" AMONG TEACHERS OF JAPANESE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS

Abstract

(Objectives) This study was to clarify present situation of "designated medical care for students" provided by teachers of Japanese special education schools, and their expectations and anxieties about providing "designated medical care" in the setting of special education schools. (Methods) We originally developed a questionnaire for present situation of providing "designated medical care", teacher-training for learning skills of "designated medical care", and expectations and anxieties among teachers. The questionnaire was delivered to principals of all Japanese special education schools (1,110 schools). We employed text analysis (SPSS) and correspondence analysis (SPSS) for open-ended questions regarding expectations and anxieties. (Results) A total of 333 schools had students who needed "designated medical care" in school settings. Of 333 schools, 283 schools (85.0%) provided "designated medical care" in schools. Of 283 schools, nurses provided "designated medical care" in 255 schools (90.1%). Teachers provided it in 121 schools (42.8%) and parents did it in 86 schools (30.4%). Of 283 schools, teachers did not provide the care in 152 schools, among which 117 schools (41.3%) had some plans for providing it by teachers. Of 333 schools, 50 schools did not provide the care, among which two schools (4%) had some plans for providing it by teachers. Of 333 schools, 116 schools (34.8%) had some plan for training teachers for learning skills of the care. A correspondence analysis showed that major factors of expectations of teachers' providing the care were "promotion of educational activities" and "relief of parents' burden". The analysis also revealed that two keywords such as "incidents" and "risk of accidents" constituted a separated category for factors of anxieties of teachers' providing the care. (Conclusion) Further researches are needed for clarifying incidents and risk of accidents relating "designated medical care" in the setting of special education schools.