The Effect of a Study Abroad Experience on Interprofessional and Cultural Competencies

Sunday, 17 November 2019

Julie B. Meaux, PhD, RN, CNE, FNAP1
Lisa Broussard, DNS, RN, CNE2
Karen L. Carlson, PhD, RN3
Lavona Traywick, PhD4
Brittany Saviers, MS, OTR/L4
(1)School of Nursing, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, USA
(2)College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA
(3)College of Nursing, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
(4)Occupational Therapy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, USA

Background and Significance - The population of the United States is increasingly diverse and health professionals must be prepared to meet the health needs of the growing multiethnic population. In addition, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identifies cultural competence as an essential component for baccalaureate and graduate student education (AACN, 2008). Evidence suggests that short-term study abroad experiences can foster development of cultural competencies and broaden the global perspective of nursing students (Roller & Ballestas, 2015). Furthermore, this study abroad experience will include students from nursing and occupational therapy to create a valuable opportunity for students from both disciplines to acquire competencies in interprofessional communication, teamwork, and collaboration.

Through this international study abroad experience to Costa Rica, students will learn about physical, sociocultural, and environmental influences on health, well-being, and longevity for the people of the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica was selected as the destination because it is one of five areas designated as a “Blue Zone”, a place where people reach age 100 at rates of up to 10 times greater than in the United States (Madrigal-Leer, Martinez-Montandon, Solis-Umana, et al, 2019). Students will participate in hands-on activities, tours, observations, and dialogue with local residents, health care professionals, and researchers who promote the peninsula’s healthy lifestyle.

Purpose – The purpose of this project is to measure the effect of a Costa Rica study abroad experience on interprofessional and cultural competencies of nursing and occupational therapy students.

Methods: The research is a pre-test/post-test design. Students from a Baccalaureate Nursing program and Occupational Therapy Doctoral program who are participating in a 10-day Costa Rica Study Abroad course will be recruited to participate. Students will be asked to complete a Cultural Competency Questionnaire (Mareno, Hart, & VanBrackle, 2013) and the Entry Level Interprofessional Questionnaire (Pollard, Meirs, & Gilchrist, 2016) prior to engaging in activities associated with the study abroad experience, and then after completion of the Costa Rica trip. Both surveys will be delivered in an online format. Activities associated with the study abroad experience will begin in the Spring 2019 semester. Students will meet for three planning sessions where they will learn about each other and each discipline, engage in teambuilding, and learn more about Costa Rica and its people. Students will then travel to Costa Rica during the May 2019 Intercession where they will engage in various cultural and professional activities.

The research was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. Informed consent was obtained from all students wishing to participate in the research.

Results: results pending

Conclusions: pending completion of the research

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