title: Post-Fukushima radiation education for public health nursing students: a case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident was one of more than 200 serious nuclear/radiation incidents (accidents and disasters) that occurred worldwide since 1945. The current Fukushima disaster is in the recovery phase with the decreasing levels of radiation in the environment. However, fears and stigma related to the perceived risk of radiation exposure persist among the general population.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  To improve on students' preparedness for social and public health challenges after a radiation incidence, radiation education was provided for undergraduate public health nursing students.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This case study reports the development and implementation of the first class of radiation education in public health nursing, as well as students' reflections on their class experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included a 90-min radiation class in an undergraduate public health nursing course in Tokyo, Japan. Lectures/discussion on technical and environmental aspects provided the minimally essential content for basic radiation knowledge. After class, all the 65 students were invited to freely write their reflections on the class. With their consent, 61 students' anonymous written accounts were qualitatively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes emerged: awareness of ignorance about radiation, problems produced by the mass media, becoming knowledgeable about radiation, public health nurses' role, and trustful and enjoyable lecture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The class inspired students to consider social, psychological and relational aspects of knowing and not knowing about radiation and their future professional role.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once radiation is taught at school, nursing students will emerge as professionals with the belief that radiation is within their professional purview. Education is key to disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery. Given the ubiquitous nature of health challenges after a radiation incident, radiation education is indispensable for nursing students worldwide.
authors: Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Konishi
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Nagai
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kobayashi
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Mitsumori
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Ono
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Asahara
authors: College of Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.|Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Porter
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D004506:Education, Nursing; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Disaster; Fukushima; Japan; Nuclear Accident; Public Health Nursing; Qualitative analysis; Radiation education; Radiation risk; Students