Paper
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Preparing Minority Nursing Students to Work in International Research Teams
Marie-Luise Friedemann, RN, PhD, College of Nursing and Health Studies, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA and Kathryn Hoehn Anderson, PhD, ARNP, LMFT, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
The Minority Health International Research Training program (MHIRT) seeks to recruit and educate outstanding students in health professions by integrating them into research teams to study disadvantaged populations. During one semester prior to a research practicum in Europe, six undergraduate nursing students went through basic preparation. These students had no research experience beyond an introductory course. We designed an international research course with learning objectives concerning the research process, research with minority populations, family health, and research ethics. To achieve these objectives we instituted goal-directed learning. After one introductory class about searching for information electronically, we assigned topics to be presented during class meetings. Concurrently, we paired students in work teams and assigned them to FIU researchers studying chronic conditions in minority populations. Students spent three hours a week assisting with research tasks, learning about study design, and how findings could improve minority health. All students kept a diary of their experiences and thoughts, and used the entries for their topic presentations in the class meetings. In class, we assisted the students to connect what they learned from their research practicum and assigned readings with the broader issues of immigration, poverty, family dynamics, health care access, and cultural understanding of health. Once aware of differences in culture and healthcare around the world, they participated in an interactive three week on-line seminar, where they were paired with a “pen pal” from their host country (Germany, Italy, or England), explored student and family life, and learned about the health care. The quality of presentations, journals, and class evaluations showed evolving understanding of broad issues and growing enthusiasm about participating in research. The students’ evaluation is reflected in “I would never have understood research the way I do now and I feel that other students are missing out on a great opportunity.”