Yeşim GÜLEÇ-ASLAN, Ayşe Büşra SUBAŞI-YURTÇU, Özcan erkan AKGÜN, smail GÜLEÇ

University Students’ Experiences as Volunteers in Hospitals for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families: “Be My Hospital Friend”

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) routinely visit healthcare institutions for medical examinations. Hospital visits can be a difficult experience because of core challenges of ASD, a general lack, or low level, of ASD knowledge among healthcare providers and lack of volunteer services. This study investigates results of a program developed to overcome these problems. The program under the name of “Be My Hospital Friend” aimed to encourage university students to engage in volunteer services in health issues. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of participants via reflections. Also, student’s levels of ASD knowledge were examined. The results show that the program was beneficial for participants’ ASD knowledge and personal development. The results discussed in terms of implications for research and practices.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Bireylere ve Ailelerine Yönelik Hastane Ortamlarındaki Gönüllülük Deneyimleri: “Hastane Arkadaşım Ol”

Otizm spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) tanılı bireyler yaşadıkları çeşitli sağlık sorunları nedeniyle tıbbî kontrolleri için ailelerince sağlık kurumlarına düzenli olarak götürmektedirler. OSB’ye özgü temel güçlükler, sağlık çalışanlarının OSB bilgilerindeki yetersizlikler ve bu süreçte aileye destek olacak gönüllülük hizmetlerinin eksikliği nedenleriyle, sağlık kurumlarına gidildiği günler OSB tanılı birey ve ailesi için zor bir süreç haline gelebilmektedir. Bu araştırma kapsamında, OSB tanılı bireylere ve ailelerine, sağlıkla ilgili süreçlerinde gönüllü destek olmak amacıyla üniversite öğrencileri ile yürütülen “Hastane Arkadaşım Olur musun?” adlı bir program başlatılmıştır. Bu nitel araştırmanın amacı, yansıtma formları ile toplanan veriler aracılıyla öğrencilerin bu gönüllülük çalışmasındaki deneyimlerinin incelenmesidir. Ayrıca, öğrencilerin OSB bilgi düzeyleri de niceliksel olarak incelenmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, programın öğrencilerin OSB bilgi düzeylerini ve kişisel gelişimlerini sağlama bağlamında faydalı olduğunu göstermiştir. Bulgular gelecekteki uygulama ve araştırmalar doğrultusunda tartışılmıştır.

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