食事支援ロボットと介助者による食事動作の比較—学生の支援機器に対するイメージ

A comparison of meal operation by a meal support robot and helpers : How students feel about support equipment

要旨：作業療法士養成過程にある学生を対象として，食事支援ロボット(マイスプーン)を用いた支援機器による食事と，介助者による人的介助による食事を体験させ，心理的な影響を比較した．その結果，今回の学生は体験後，食事支援機器に対する興味や肯定的なイメージを示すものが多いという結果であった．作業療法士が支援機器の実践的指導をおこなう場合には，事前の体験的学習が重要である．今後，支援機器の導入や指導にあたり，作業療法士の責任は益々大きくなることが予想されることがら，「体験を通して学ぶ」という実践的教育を経験することは，支援機器の目的や用法を十分把握したうえで，より確かな指導を利用者に提供できるものと考える．

　We had occupational therapy students experience two methods of eating: utilizing a meal support robot (my spoon) and requesting assistance from helpers, and compared their psychological effects.

　As a result, students were interested in and had a positive image of the meal support robot.

　Therefore, we found it important for students to have prior experience using the equipment on their own before guiding their patients on its use.

　In the future, it is expected that the responsibilities of occupational therapists will increase through the introduction of the support equipment, so prior experience is necessary.

　The purpose and future direction of the support equipment will be adequately understood through practical education, and the enhancement of the knowledge offered to the patients is necessary.