日本語学校の教職員が認識する在日外国人留学生の受療行動における課題

Challenges in the Healthcare-Seeking Behavior of International Students Living in Japan as Perceived by Japanese Language School Faculty and Staff

要旨

　目的：日本語学校の教職員が客観的に認識する在日外国人留学生の受療行動における課題を明らかにする．

　方法：日本語学校の教職員10名に半構造化インタビューを行った．研究デザインは質的記述的研究とし，データは帰納的分析を行った．

　結果：在日外国人留学生は，【在日外国人留学生であることが理由で受診において不利益を生じる】【日本語能力の限界により受診時に真意がわからないままでの会話となる】こと，【受診の要否の判断も含めて教職員に頼らざるを得ない】ことが示された．また，【自国との社会的システムや慣習の違いから日本の一般的な受療行動になじみがない】ことに直面し，【経済的な余裕がない中で在留するため受療行動が負担となる】ことが示された．

　結論：在日外国人留学生が医療機関を活用するにあたり，医療機関側の体制整備だけでなく，留学生および日本語学校への情報提供や医療職者による支援体制の整備の必要性が示唆された．

　Objective: This study aims to identify issues in the health-seeking behaviour of international students in Japan as perceived by teaching staff at Japanese language schools.

　Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 teachers and staff from Japanese language schools. The data obtained were analysed using qualitative descriptive methods.

　Results: "Disadvantage in receiving medical examinations due to being an international student in Japan", "Due to the limitations of Japanese language skills, conversations during medical examinations do not convey the true meaning", "They have to rely on teachers to make decisions, including whether they need to see a doctor." It was shown to be the case. In addition, "Due to differences in social systems and customs from their home country, they are not familiar with typical healthcare-seeking behaviors in Japan." This they faced. "Health-seeking behaviours are burdensome due to residency in situations where economic resources are not available." This has been shown to be the case.

　Conclusion: It has been suggested that, in order for international students living in Japan to make use of medical institutions, it is necessary not only to improve the systems on the part of the medical institutions but also to provide information to the students and Japanese language schools, and to establish support systems by medical professionals.