ERIC Number: EJ1046931
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1076-0180
EISSN: N/A
Community as Teacher Model: Health Profession Students Learn Cultural Safety from an Aboriginal Community
Kline, Cathy C.; Godolphin, William J.; Chhina, Gagun S.; Towle, Angela
Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, v20 n1 p5-17 Fall 2013
Communication between health care professionals and Aboriginal patients is complicated by cultural differences and the enduring effects of colonization. Health care providers need better training to meet the needs of Aboriginal patients and communities. We describe the development and outcomes of a community-driven service-learning program in which health professional students learn with, from, and about the community through brief immersion in summer camps put on by an Aboriginal agency to teach their own youth about their culture. Outcomes were assessed by semi-structured interviews with students and community members. Health profession students learn about important cultural differences, become more aware of their own values, beliefs and stereotypes, and consider ways to overcome communication barriers that interfere with developing trust with Aboriginal patients. These outcomes are retained long-term and influence relationships with patients in practice as well as career paths. Students are seen by the community as good role models. The opportunity to educate university students enhances the community's sense of pride in their culture.
Descriptors: Safety Education, Cultural Awareness, Health Education, Cultural Differences, Service Learning, Summer Programs, Cultural Education, Community Education, Semi Structured Interviews, Student Surveys, Community Surveys, Beliefs, Values Education, Stereotypes, Interpersonal Communication, Communication Strategies, Intervention, Sensitivity Training, Learning Processes, Community Benefits, Indigenous Populations, College Students, Foreign Countries, Program Descriptions, Program Development, Program Effectiveness
Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, University of Michigan. 1024 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3310. Tel: 734-647-7402; Fax: 734-647-7464; Web site: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mjcsl
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A