Peiying, N., Goddard, T., Gribble, N., & Pickard, C. (2012). International placements increase the cultural sensitivity and competency of professional health students: a quantitative and qualitative study. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 26(1), 61-6
The study investigated the impact of participating in a 4-week international placement program on health care students in developing intercultural sensitivity. Seventeen final-year health professional students enrolled in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy participated in a study abroad program. They had two options 1) China and 2) India. All the students completed a pre-IDI one week before the placement program, and post-IDI was completed at the end of the program. The results of the IDI demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the pre and post-DO scores of the overall assessment and also for stages such as denial, reversal, minimization, and encapsulated marginality. But there was a significant increase in the acceptance/adaptation stages of the IDI.
Further qualitative analysis was conducted based on the narratives in a journal. The following themes emerged from the analysis: increased vigilance and adaptation to the environment, uncertainty and anticipation grappling with supremacy, recognizing and appreciating differences, and cultural immersion and development. The overall study established that participating in international placement allowed the students to develop intercultural sensitivity. Therefore healthcare professionals should focus on the programs that help students to develop intercultural competence.
2012
Mixed-Method
Healthcare
2011-2015
