Interdisciplinary health initiative brings MSHS Students to Hokkaido

This week-long trip to Shiraoi offered Melbourne School of Health Sciences (MSHS) students an invaluable opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration whilst providing health screenings and education to the local community. The trip, which saw four students each from the Doctor of Physiotherapy, Masters of Audiology, and Doctor of Optometry programs as well as graduate Physical Therapy student peers from Hokkaido University, marks a milestone as the first program of its kind at MSHS.

Throughout the week, students engaged in a wide range of activities, including working with local seniors and children, conducting focus groups, and delivering health screenings in partnership with Japanese students from Hokkaido University. Under the supervision of Dr. Tandy Hastings-Ison and A/Prof Kelley Graydon, the students developed and implemented a screening and education program designed to address the health needs of the Shiraoi community. They collaborated with local healthcare professionals, including A/ Prof Mina Samukawa and Miho Komatsuzaki from Hokkaido University, to run the program, offering valuable insight into how physical, auditory, and visual health are interrelated.

Throughout the trip, students enhanced their ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team, integrating their diverse health expertise to design and implement effective community health programs. They gained valuable experience in communicating with non-English speaking populations, particularly through working with interpreters, and developed their skills in delivering complex health information in simple, accessible ways. The trip also boosted their confidence in public speaking and engagement, as students presented findings from the screening, delivered health education and answered questions from community members and local officials. Additionally, students gained insights into different healthcare systems, refining their cultural competence and learning how global health practices can inform their future professional work.

Maya Gregory, one of the Doctor of Physiotherapy students, shared her experience: “Being a part of this learning opportunity highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and how this provides a more holistic approach to community health. I learned the importance of flexibility and adaptability, international and multidisciplinary collaboration, data collection and analysis, providing care within my scope of practice, as well as public health education and communication skills. I’m grateful to have had this experience to grow both personally and professionally, and I’m excited to bring these insights into my physiotherapy learning and career.”

This interdisciplinary health sciences trip represents the beginning of what MSHS hopes will become an ongoing series of collaborations with Hokkaido University. The experience not only enriched the students' academic and professional growth but also reinforced the importance of teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication in health practice.