On the afternoon of Saturday, August 2, the 2nd "Experience Real Medicine with Cutting-Edge Medical Equipment!" workshop was held at the Keio University Center for Preventive Medicine in Azabudai Hills, Minato City. This workshop is conducted by the Center for Preventive Medicine—which works on early detection of disease risks and health promotion in the Azabudai Hills area where diverse people live, work, and visit—as an activity to give back medical sciences knowledge to society and provide a place of learning for children. As part of the "Hills Workshop for Kids 2025," a summer program supported by tenant companies and shops in Azabudai Hills, the center followed last year's inaugural event by providing junior high school students with an opportunity for experiential learning using real medical equipment.
Participants were divided into three groups and wore the medical staff uniforms of the Center for Preventive Medicine. Under the guidance of doctors, nurses, technicians, and students from "KAPPA (Keio ACLS Popularizing and Promoting Association)"—a student circle from the School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, and Faculty of Pharmacy dedicated to spreading life-saving emergency procedures—they rotated through three types of experiences: endoscopy, ultrasonography, and basic life support. In the endoscopy session, they learned scope observation techniques from the esophagus to the duodenum using organ models for physician training. In the ultrasonography session, they learned how to identify internal organs using a simulator that mimics upper abdominal organs. In the basic life support session, they learned correct chest compression techniques and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). While the participants looked nervous while listening to the explanation before the workshop started, as the sessions progressed, they relaxed and chatted with the doctors and medical students, asked questions enthusiastically, and seemed to enjoy deepening their learning.
Many comments were received in the survey, such as: "At first, the operation was difficult and hard, but I was taught each step in detail and was able to complete it, which made me very interested in endoscopy," "It was interesting to see how diseases can be identified from the black and white screen of the ultrasound," "There are AEDs in various public facilities like schools, stations, and buildings, and I was curious about how to actually use them, so this was a very good opportunity," and "This medical experience has sparked a great interest in medicine for me. I want to continue learning about medical sciences."
Through the Hills Workshop for Kids initiative, the Center for Preventive Medicine will continue its activities to help children deepen their interest in and understanding of health and medical sciences.