International+community+engagement

Download a PDF of this page

** International community engagement: Connection to self, place, and profession ** Lorna Hayward, Associate Professor, Northeastern University [l.hayward@neu.edu]

**Keywords:** Ecuador, physical therapy, cultural competence, mixed method, connected knowing

**Track:** Global community engagement and comparative studies

**Format:** Poster presentation

This project describes the connected learning experience of 14 physical therapy students who participated in a year-long capstone international service-learning (ISL) experience. Specifically, this mixed-method study examined the students’ cultural competence, professional role formation, and personal development resulting from international study abroad. Evaluation of students’ experience included: Cultural Competence survey, focus groups, reflective papers, and community feedback.
 * Summary **

During the 2011-2012 academic year, students conducted preliminary research on the Ecuadorian health care system and culture. Over spring break in March 2012, the students and researcher traveled to Quito and Latacunga, Ecuador, to provide PT services for the For His Children (FHC) orphanage. As part of the researcher’s sustained relationship with FHC, the researcher conducted a needs assessment of the served population prior to the visit. The needs assessment enabled targeted PT interventions. Students were able to research the neurological and orthopedic disorders affecting the served children and design sustainable PT interventions.

The impact of the ISL experience was evaluated by the administration of the Process for Cultural Competence Among Health Care Professions Student Version survey (IAPCC‐SV) pre and post travel, and all students in the study demonstrated a statistically significant (p = .001) change. Post-travel focus group data, and reflective papers were also examined and four dominant categories emerged: Advocacy; Cultural Knowledge; Career Definition; Connection between the Classroom and Field.

Our curricular model enabled students to connect with a community and a culture. Through reflection, they were able to articulate a connection between their learning in the domains of core professional values, cultural competence, and solidify personal career interests for working with pediatrics and internationally with underserved populations. Curricular models that provide meaningful connections between the classroom and the community are important for the development of a work force prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.

Anderson, P. H., Lawton, L., Rexeisen, R. J., & Hubbard, A. C. (2006). Short-term study abroad and intercultural sensitivity: A pilot study. //International Journal of Intercultural Relations,// //30//(4), 457–469.
 * References **

Black, J. D., & Purnell, L. D. (2002). Cultural competence for the physical therapy professional. //Journal Physical// //Therapy Education,16//(1), 3–10.

Campinha-Bacote J. (2002) The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services: A model of care. //Journal of Transcultural Nursing,// //13//(3), 181–184.

Campinha-Bacote, J., Claymore-Cuny, D., Cora-Bramble, D., Gilbert, J., Husbands, R. M., Like, R. C., … & Tang, G. (2005). //Transforming the face of health professions through cultural and linguistic competence education: The role of the HRSA Centers of Excellence.// Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.hrsa.gov/culturalcompetence/cultcompedu.pdf

Dewey, J. (1933) //How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process//. Chicago, IL: DC Heath.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Donini-Lenhoff, F. G., & Brotheron, S. E. (2010). Racial-ethnic diversity in allied health: The continuing challenge. //Journal of American History,// //39//(2), 104–109.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Dupre, A. M., & Goodgold, S. (2007). Development of physical therapy student cultural competency through international community service. //Journal of Cultural Diversity//, //14//(3), 126–134.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Fischer, K. (2009). Short study-abroad trips can have lasting effect, research suggests. //The Chronicle of Higher Education.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">http://chronicle.com/article/Short-Study-Abroad-Trips-Can/1541

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">For His Children. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from http://www.forhischildren-ecuador.org/

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-decoration: none;">Hayward, L. M, &Charrette, A. (2012).Global education: Preparation for study abroad and the provision of physical therapy services to Ecuadorian orphans. //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-decoration: none;">Journal of Physical Therapy Education, //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-decoration: none;"> //26//(1), 78–89.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Institute of International Education <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif';">. (2010). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> //Study abroad by U.S. students slowed in 2008/09 with more students going to less traditional destinations.// Retrieved from http://www.iie.org/en/Who-We-Are/News-and-Events/Press-Center/Press-Releases/2010/2010-11-15-Open-Doors-US-Study-Abroad.aspx

Kraemer, T. J. (2001). Physical therapist students’ perceptions regarding preparation for providing clinical cultural congruent cross-cultural care: A qualitative study. //Journal of Physical Therapy Education//, 15(1), 36–51.

Leavitt, R. (2010). Introduction to cultural competence. In R. Levitt (Ed.), Cultural //competence: A lifelong journey to cultural proficiency// (pp. 1–7). Thorofare, NJ: Slack.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">McCabe, L. T. (2001). <span style="color: #403838; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Globalization and internationalization: The impact on education broad programs. //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Journal of Studies in International Education, 5 //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(2), 138–145.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). //Qualitative data analysis//. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Musolino, G. M., & Feehan, P. (2004). Enhancing diversity through mentorship: The nurturing potential of service learning. //Journal of Physical Therapy Education,////18//(1), 29–42.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Purnell, L. (2005). The Purnell model for cultural competence. //Journal of Multicultural Nursing and Health,// //11//(2), 7–15.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Schön, D. A. (1983). //The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action.// New York, NY: Basic Books.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Sjoberg, S. D., & Shabalina, O. I. (2010). More than a sight-seeing trip: Enhancing the value in short-term study abroad. //Business Education Innovation Journal//, //2//(2), 46–58.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Smedley B., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson A. R. (Eds.). (2003). //Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care.// Washington, DC: National Academic Press.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Smith-Pariola, J., & Goke-Pariola, A. (2006). Expanding the parameters of service learning: A case study. //Journal of Studies in International Education, 10//(1), 71–86.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">United States Census Bureau. State & Country QuickFacts USA. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Vande Berg, M. (2007). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Intervening in the learning of U.S. students abroad. //Journal of Studies in International Education, 11//(3/4), 392–399.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Wilcox, K. C., Weber, M., & Andrew, D. L. (2005). Factors influencing minority students’ choice of physical therapist education programs. //Journal of Physical Therapy Education,// //19//(2), 8–14.


 * To access materials from this session please click on the file link(s) below:**

include component="comments" page="International community engagement" limit="50"