Trial Activity in the Community as part of Physical Therapists' Education

Abstract

As part of physical therapists' education, activity in the community in which we can communicate with residents directly is very meaningful. Not only clinical practice, but also activity in the community is suited for understanding medical care, health care and welfare of residents. This paper reports the response of physical therapy students to questionnaire about an activity in the community as part of co-medical education. The trial got the approval and satisfaction of almost all the students. The main reason was an exchange of views with people living in the community. This trial was done to educate students with the following objectives: 1) gaining an opportunity to talk with residents, 2) cultivating a solution to a problem, 3) having an awareness of medical care, 4) having independence, and the importance of personal relations (negotiation, communication, mental care, etc.). Also, the students were told to put this experience to practical use. Thus, activity in the community is very useful and necessary for students having physical therapy education.