フロリダアトランティック大学におけるコミュニティへのケアリングの取り組みの視察

２０１７年３月に徳島大学と連携協定を締結しているフロリダアトランティック大学看護学部（以下，FAU）を訪問し，コミュニティにおけるケアリング活動に関する視察を行った．
Community Health Center at West Gateは低所得層が多く住む地域において住民の保健・医療へのアクセスを確保するために，FAU が助成金を確保して設立し運営している施設である．Louis and AnneGreen Memory & Wellness Centerは，大学敷地内にFAUが助成金を得て設立し運営している認知症などの方への通所施設である．Head Lice solutionsは，教員が調査研究を行いながら協力して実施しているアタマジラミへの対策である．Light of The World Clinicは，寄付と専門職らがボランティアによって協力して運営されているクリニックであり，移民等の多い地域の人々への保健・医療を提供する施設であり，FAUの教員がボランティアのNurse Practitionerとして診察を行っていた．
このような大学が運営したり協力しているコミュニティへの活動は，健康の不利益を生じている人々への不平等を取り除くための取り組みや，コミュニティで生じている問題への対応のための取り組みであった．大学が実践活動を行いながら，調査研究を推進し，さらに学生への実習施設としても活用され，非常に有用な取り組みであった．

This report contains the goals and explanations for the educational visit to Florida Atlantic University（FAU）. The aim of this visit was to investigate the activities in the community that FAU faculty members were actively engaged. This visit was conducted in collaboration with the bilateral agreement between Tokushima University and Florida Atlantic University.
Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has facilities that foster community involvement and caring within Palm Beach County in Florida. The Community Health Center at West Gate was established and operated by FAU particularly for lower-income families who live in the vicinity. These families have little access to health care systems and their only means of seeking health care is through this center.
Another clinical practice setting is the Louis and Anne Green Memory & Wellness Center. It is a daycare facility for older persons particularly those with memory problems, and mental disturbances and/or dementia. The center was founded and is operated by FAU within the premises of the university.
The Head Lice Solutions is a health care initiative that focuses on the treatment of head lice basically among children in schools. The center is supported by a member of the FAU faculty, who is an expert on head lice as a school nurse.
The Light of The World Clinic provides health care to people in the area who have little access to care. A faculty member, who is also a nurse practitioner, runs a consulting room at this clinic.
These activities are intended to benefit communities within the area of responsibility at the vicinity of Florida Atlantic University. FAU has their goal which is to eliminate inequalities among those who suffer from health disadvantages, and address health issues when they arise in the community. The university promotes the combination of research with practice, and the project is also used as an educational facility for students. Overall, these functions create benefits for students’ and residents’ health and well-being.