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Becoming culturally sensitive: a painful process?
1Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, United Kingdom. briscoel@edgehill.ac.uk
Midwifery
|September 28, 2011
Summary
Midwifery students developed cultural sensitivity through international placements and a Global Midwifery Module. Critical reflection, though challenging, is key for transforming thinking and lifelong learning in cultural competence.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Midwifery Education
- Cultural Competence
Background:
- Developing cultural sensitivity is crucial for midwifery practice.
- International experiences can enhance cultural awareness in healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how midwifery students develop cultural sensitivity.
- To evaluate the impact of a Global Midwifery Module on cultural competence.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen third-year midwifery students participated in international observational placements.
- A Global Midwifery Module incorporating immersion, self-assessments, and qualitative evaluation was implemented.
- Pre- and post-module self-assessments were compared to gauge changes in cultural sensitivity.
Main Results:
- The module increased awareness of international midwifery practices.
- Student confidence in caring for diverse populations varied.
- The process of critical reflection during the module was challenging for some students.
Conclusions:
- Facilitated critical reflection in a supportive environment can foster transformative thinking.
- Individual responsibility for cultural sensitivity is paramount, supported by leadership providing space for reflection.
- Cultural sensitivity development should be integrated into lifelong learning for all healthcare professionals.
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