Blogging as a tool to promote reflection among dietetic and physical therapy students during a multidisciplinary...

Service-learning is a guided, structured learning experience that engages students in service to a community for the mutual benefit of the student and community. There is a growing trend in healthcare to include international service-learning experiences in the training curriculum to promote cultural competence. A critical element of service-learning is reflection. There have been many research studies examining how best to support and facilitate the reflective thinking process in students. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of reflective thinking among graduate allied health students during an interdisciplinary international service-learning experience using a web-based collaborative blog. Twelve graduate students-six dietetic interns and six physical therapy doctoral students-traveled to Belize for 6 days to provide primary healthcare screenings and intervention to a community. Group blogging was found to be an effective tool to promote reflection in allied health student and short duration service-learning experience developed reflective thinking.