Acquisition of Basic Clinical Skills Among Japanese Novice Rehabilitation Therapists: A Retrospective Study

Authors

Kenta Fujimura, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Hiroaki Sakurai, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Soichiro Koyama, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Kenji Kawakami, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Kazuya Takeda, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Takuma Ii, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Shota Suzumura, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Shigeo Tanabe, Fujita Health UniversityFollow
Yoshikiyo Kanada, Fujita Health UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between basic clinical skills and clinical experience among novice rehabilitation therapists in Japan. Methods: Twenty-one novice rehabilitation therapists who joined a general hospital and underwent annual practical examinations during each of their three years of clinical experience were included. This retrospective longitudinal single-center study followed the same novice therapists throughout the study period. The practical examination was based on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and included exercises for joint range of motion (ROM), muscle strengthening (MS), getting up (Getting Up), standing up and sitting down (Standing/Sitting), and transferring from a wheelchair to a bed (Transfer). The scoring items for each task were categorized into Attitude, Preparation, Intervention, Safety Management, and Feedback. Years of experience and OSCE scores were compared across tasks and categories. Results: The OSCE scores for each task tended to increase with clinical experience, and significant differences were found between the first and third years for the total of all tasks, for MS, for Standing/Sitting, and for Transfer. Intervention item scores by category differed among the three groups, with significant differences between the first and third years and between the second and third years. The results showed that the acquisition of basic clinical skills tended to increase with clinical experience. Conclusions: The OSCE proved useful for detailed analysis of novice rehabilitation therapists’ acquisition of basic clinical skills.

Author Bio(s)

Kenta Fujimura, OTR, PhD, is a Senior Assistant Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Hiroaki Sakurai, RPT, PhD, is a Chairperson of Department and Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Soichiro Koyama, RPT, PhD, is a Associate Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Kenji Kawakami, RPT, MS, is a Senior Assistant Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Kazuya Takeda, RPT, PhD, is a Senior Assistant Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Takuma Ii, RPT, PhD, is a Senior Assistant Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Shota Suzumura, OTR, PhD, is a Senior Assistant Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Shigeo Tanabe, RPT, PhD, is a Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Yoshikiyo Kanada, RPT, PhD, is a Vice-President and Professor at Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University in Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Recommended Citation

Fujimura K, Sakurai H, Koyama S, Kawakami K, Takeda K, Ii T, et al. Acquisition of Basic Clinical Skills Among Japanese Novice Rehabilitation Therapists: A Retrospective Study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Mar 03;24(1), Article 9.