Status of the Implementation of Education on Countermeasures to Disasters at Physical Therapist Training Institutions:

<p>Evacuation after a disaster can lead to deterioration of physical and mental health and disaster-related deaths. In recent years, large-scale disasters have occurred frequently in Japan, and it is important to be prepared for them to reduce deaths and post-disaster functional decline. In order for physical therapists to be involved in disaster countermeasures, it is necessary for them to understand the relevant laws, regulations, and mechanisms. This study investigated status of the implementation of lectures on disaster rehabilitation, especially “individual evacuation plans residents in need of assistance in evacuation (individual evacuation plans),” at physical therapist training schools, aiming to examine educational policies for the sake of improving the disaster response skills of physical therapists. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was conducted by mail, targeting 271 physical therapist training institutions nationwide, from March 10-31, 2023. The survey items were the attributes of the institutions, the presence of classes on disaster rehabilitation and “individual evacuation plans,” and if not implemented, the reasons why. Of the 271 schools, 147 (54.2%) responded. Disaster rehabilitation classes were offered by 37 schools (25.2%). For the remaining 110 schools that had not implemented such courses, the most common reasons were an “overcrowded curriculum” (63 schools, 56.2%) and a lack of appropriate instructors (53 schools, 44.5%). Ten schools (6.8%) had “individual evacuation plan” classes. Only a limited number of training schools offer classes on disaster rehabilitation and “individual evacuation plans.” Efforts should be made to reduce the burden on teachers by creating standardized texts and restructuring curricula to ensure relevant classes.</p>