Effects of study abroad on cultural and interprofessional competencies.

Background: Healthcare professionals require personal and professional skills that include the ability to provide care to diverse populations and to collaborate across disciplines to deliver culturally sensitive quality care. International learning experiences can provide opportunities for students in health professions to work and learn collaboratively across disciplines.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to measure the effect of a short-term Costa Rican study abroad experience on interprofessional and cultural competencies of occupational therapy (OT) and nursing students.

Methods: This mixed methods study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board and consisted of four training sessions and a 10-day study abroad experience. Ten OT doctoral students and three undergraduate nursing students participated in the research. While abroad, students engaged in fieldwork activities, tours, observations, and dialogue with local residents, healthcare professionals, and researchers. Students completed a demographic questionnaire and pre- and post-surveys - the Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCQ) and the Entry Level Interprofessional Questionnaire (ELIQ) - and reflection journals.

Results: Results of the CCQ subscales showed statistically significant improvement in knowledge (p < .001) and skills (p < .001). The ELIQ Likert scale results suggest statistically significant improvement in Communication and Teamwork (p < .05). The qualitative data further support the value of study abroad experiences for level one fieldwork in an occupational therapy clinical doctorate program for developing cultural competencies in OT and nursing students.

Conclusions: Results confirm that a short-term study abroad experience can increase acquisition of cultural competencies. Improved interprofessional communication and teamwork was also supported by student comments.