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Learning Objective #1: discuss Campinha-Bacote's "The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services" and it's five constructs.

Learning Objective #2: discuss differences in self perceived cultural competence in one's own culture and that of other cultures while participating in an immersion experience.

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The concept of cultural competence in the health professions is not a new phenomenon.  Academia has strived to provide students in health programs with the necessary education to understand the meaning of and to apply cultural knowledge to health related experiences that are encountered.  This study utilizes Campinha-Bacote's model, "The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services" and the 5 constructs within as a guiding framework.

Within this one group, pre and post test design, 17 subjects were recruited from the March '05 Ghana Health Mission group of caregivers.  The instrument, Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Healthcare Professional-Revised (IAPCC-R) measured 25 items in a 4 point likert format within the 5 constructs of Campinha-Bacote's model that include; desire, awareness, knowledge, skill and encounters.

Comparisions occurred with this group over three points in time.  Repeated measure ANOVA revealed statistically significant resutls that cultural competence among caregivers improved over time following immersion.  This study serves as an impetus that supports all forms of immersion for building cultural competence among healthcare professionals.