특수학교 보건교사의 돌봄 경험

Experiences of School Health Teachers in Special Schools for Students with Disabilities

Purpose: The gradual increase in the number of children with disabilities in Korea highlights the necessity for further research on the role of school health teachers in their care. This study explored the specific experiences of school health teachers in special schools through individual in-depth interviews. Methods: In this study, 11 school health teachers participated, and data were collected through individual in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected data. Results: The experiences of health teachers at special schools were classified into 5 themes and 13 subthemes. These included 'concerns about working in special schools and attachment after working,' 'management of diverse diseases and ongoing, careful observation,' 'ambivalence regarding students with disabilities,' 'competences needed to care for students with disabilities,' and 'enhancing care education for students with disabilities: demanding institutional support.' Conclusion: Effective student health management depends on open communication channels and the establishment of strong connections among health teachers, school personnel, and parents of impaired students. To enhance the quality of care for children with disabilities, specialized education programs to improve teachers' healthcare competency should be developed. Additionally, specific guidelines for the range of medical treatments provided by health instructors, should be devised.