Abstract
Studies have not compared the professional growth of different human service professions in geriatric care. During the symposium organized by the 25th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Geriatric and Gerontological Behavioral Sciences, three panelists representing geriatric nursing, social work, and clinical psychology shared insights gained from their care cases. This paper summarizes the symposium discussions, focusing on themes such as “Discovering working theories and ideas through practical experience,” “Recognizing foundational and structural challenges,” “Fostering career development across the lifespan,” and “Motivations for continuing professional practice.” The discussion highlights several key topics: the importance of linking practical knowledge to theoretical frameworks, the process of understanding clients’ experiences, the shared joy derived from improving clients’ well-being—a critical reward for all human service professionals—and the role of mutual support in promoting professional growth while reducing mental strain. Additionally, the paper presents a new model that examines clients’ experiences from a macro perspective. The discussion concludes by focusing on “Mutual peer support for professional growth to prevent burnout.”
