Thursday, 25 July 2013: 1:55 PM
Kathleen E. Krichbaum, PhD, RN
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN
Karen A. Monsen, PhD, RN
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Learning Objective 1: Discuss the value of an international exchange program in nursing education to increase cultural sensitivity among students who participated in the exchange.
Learning Objective 2: Compare health care delivery systems between students' home country and that of the host country in caring for adults with diabetes living in the community.
Purpose: In 2008, six universities from across three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.--were awarded a North American Mobility grant, the purpose of which was to prepare baccalaureate nursing students to be able to address the challenges of caring for adults with diabetes in the community in each country. A total of 43 students completed this exchange program between 2008 and 2012, with approximately 14 from each country experiencing cultural immersion service learning in a country different from their own following a semester-long online, collaborative course, created for this grant. Intended outcomes of the project were: 1) increased learner knowledge about Diabetes, care of adults living in the community with Diabetes, and knowledge of the healthcare system in the learner’s home country and host country; 2) experience living in the host country to improve cultural sensitivity; and 3) completion of a service-learning practicum in the host country with school of nursing faculty and students, and with nurses caring for and adults living in the host country who have Diabetes.
Methods: Learning outcomes were evaluated for 43 students as compared to 100 students who took the course, but did not exchange, using both quantitative and qualitative methods: t-test analyses of pre-post course and exchange evaluations including the MASQUE to assess cultural sensitivity; Chi-square for group differences and ANOVA for changes over time each year; qualitative analysis for themes following interviews, oral presentations about healthcare system by students in their host countries, reflective journal content, and formal papers.
Results: Significantly increased knowledge of Diabetes, care of adults with Diabetes, healthcare systems, increased cultural sensitivity and satisfaction with the exchange.
Conclusion: Learners achieved expected outcomes
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