Exchange period at JAMK

Ms Takako Sato arrived to Jyväskylä 20th of August with her professor, Dr Yosuke Tomita. She was met by JAMK hosts (project personnel), and the appointed tutor student.

The first two days of the exchange were spent for orientation. Ms Sato got to know the city, learn about JAMK, the degree programme in physiotherapy, got familiar with information systems and services available for exchange students. She was also oriented to the MENTOROB project by Senior lecturer, Kari Vehmaskoski.

Ms Sato started her practical training at the Central Finland Central Hospital on 22 August. At the start of her practice, Ms Sato met her placement supervisors. During her exchange, she was supported by a Japanese nursing student of JAMK and also got to meet JAMK student Siiri Rauhamäki, who is due to depart to Takasaki end of September. Due to Ms Sato’s interest in sports physiotherapy, she also got to visit, KIHU – Research Institute for Olympic Sports. Her practical training at the Central Finland Central Hospital, policlinic of physiatry, lasted for 4 full weeks (22.8-12.9.2018). Practical training was completed as observation, where Ms Sato followed rehabilitation sessions with various clients. Ms Sato worked full weeks with 8 working hours per day. Each week also included a mentoring session with JAMK supervisor, Kari Vehmaskoski. Ms Sato’s supervisors at the Central Hospital were Ms Paula Berg and Ms Sanna-Maria Mäkelä.

Prior to the exchange period it was agreed that Ms Sato shall reflect her learnings through a blog, however, partners agreed that Ms Sato will upload her weekly learning diary to Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EFOd4ms6s7u4b24ZWH0E703mGuZf2vfv

During her practical training, Ms Sato worked with her supervisors and also followed the work of a peditrician. She encountered various clients from children to adults, including prosthesis and back pain clients. She worked with various methods and devices during her practical training, including CPM. In addition, Ms Sato got familiar with the rehabilitation methods and treatment pathways of the hospital.

In her daily diary, mainly written in Japanese, Ms Sato also reflected her cultural encouters in Finland. Naturally dealing with Finnish, Japanese and English, is a challenging match. However, she was interested in learning new and exploring the Finnish autumn-like nature. Her professional development from the practical training deal greatly with many of the differences between the rehabilitation process between Japan and Finland. She also learnt a great deal about the health care and social and welfare system of Finland, influencing the work of hospital professionals.

Start of practical training, sport physiotherapy session with supervisors