Exploring the Impact of Service Learning in Haiti on the Cultural Competence of OTD Students

Abstract

As society trends towards increased cultural diversity, the need for cultural competence in the field of occupational therapy (OT) becomes more acute. Immersion in another culture within the curriculum offers the student an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and recognize the need to competently interact with members of another culture. This study explored the impact of a service learning trip to Haiti, providing seating and mobility services, on all four factors of cultural intelligence (CQ; i.e., metacognitive CQ, cognitive CQ, motivational CQ, behavioral CQ) for occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. Using the cultural intelligence scale (CQS), a one-group pretest-posttest design with a paired-samples t-test (α < 0.05) rejected the null hypotheses to support service learning as a pedagogy which enhanced the four factors of CQ for the sample. With increased emphasis on producing culturally sensitive OTD professionals, service learning projects in a cross-cultural setting as a pedagogy extend beyond skill development (e.g., wheelchair fittings) to building coping strategies for interacting with clients (metacognitive CQ), enhancing knowledge of culture (cognitive CQ), persisting to overcome any cultural barriers (motivational CQ), and building the behavioral repertoire (behavioral CQ) of occupational therapists. Contrasting the results from this study with research into the efficacy of short-term study tours, service learning positively impacts behavioral CQ, whereas shortterm study tours do not have the same impact. This article details the service learning project and provides recommendations for future research.

Cross-Cultural Service Learning as Pedagogy for Character Development in Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students

“…Increased understanding and appreciation of disability issues was demonstrated in a study involving a community project investigating accessibility (Gitlow & Flecky, 2005). Short and St. Peters (2017) found improved cultural competence for OTD students who provided seating and mobility services during a service learning experience in Haiti. Greene (1997) also reported the impact on the psychosocial development of occupational therapy students who participated in a service learning experience, specifically appreciation for dignity, quality, and justice.…”

Long-Term Impact of International Service Learning: Cultural Competence Revisited

“…Additionally, OTs should utilize self-awareness to evaluate the impact of their own beliefs and perceptions during cross-cultural interactions and apply that knowledge to clinical practice (Talero et al, 2015). Short and St. Peters (2017) found that a goal-directed ISL experience involving the provision of seating and mobility services in Haiti had a short-term (immediate) impact on OTD students' (n=10) cultural intelligence as a construct of cultural competence. The purpose of the current study was to confirm the short-term impact of ISL on cultural intelligence with a larger sample (N=40) and examine long-term impact at six-month, one-year, two-year, and three-year intervals following the initial experience (Short & St. Peters, 2017).…”

“…Short and St. Peters (2017) found that a goal-directed ISL experience involving the provision of seating and mobility services in Haiti had a short-term (immediate) impact on OTD students' (n=10) cultural intelligence as a construct of cultural competence. The purpose of the current study was to confirm the short-term impact of ISL on cultural intelligence with a larger sample (N=40) and examine long-term impact at six-month, one-year, two-year, and three-year intervals following the initial experience (Short & St. Peters, 2017). Qualitative data was also collected to highlight the participants' perceptions regarding the impact of the experience.…”

“…The researchers implemented an explanatory, mixed-method design with quantitative findings complemented by qualitative findings. This design was chosen to further examine the quantitative impact of ISL on cultural intelligence as a construct of cultural competence, suggested by previous research (Short & St. Peters, 2017), as well as examine the perceived impact on participants for a more holistic understanding. An exempt IRB application, including the purpose of the study, proposed participants, procedures, and instruments was submitted and approved.…”

“…Cultural intelligence is defined as an individual's ability to function within intercultural contexts (Earley & Ang, 2003), and it has the potential to improve through cross-cultural interaction such as ISL (Ng, 2013). Short and St. Peters (2017) explored the impact of ISL on the cultural intelligence of occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. Using a one-group pretest-posttest design, researchers utilized the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS;Van Dyne, Ang, & Koh, 2008).)…”