| Learning Objective #1: Discuss how a course uses a self assessment and experiential learning approach to examine culture | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss a model that is used to examine how ethnic/cultural background influences attitudes toward health and illness, the health care provider, and the health care system |
Purpose: The presentation will describe a course, Cultural Paradigms in Health Care that was developed and incorporated into the RN-BSN Curriculum at New Jersey City University (NJCU). The University is part of the New Jersey system of state colleges. The student body of the University reflects the social and cultural diversity of the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area.
Problem: Although paradigms of care have centered on the patient as “an individual” the reality has been that health care has been delivered from a highly ethnocentric framework. The faculty at NJCU identified that although the student population reflected diversity, RN-BSN students often viewed their own cultural orientation as the legitimate perspective in providing nursing care.
Method: One faculty member developed a course to provide students with a forum to share thoughts and feelings about culture. Students had the opportunity through the course to develop cultural competence through a shift in personal perspectives and values. Valuing diversity requires not only attention to course content, but also to teaching methods and strategies. Course outline, pedagogic strategies, and outcomes will be presented.
Results: The course played an integral role in both facilitating success for diverse student groups as well as promoting the value of diversity through experiential approaches. It allowed students to acquire the ability to appreciate diversity, the skill to interact in a diverse world and awareness of the many issues of diversity that exist in the health arena.
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