A Mixed Methods Evaluation of an International Service Learning Program in the Dominican Republic. Issue 1 (26th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Curtin, Alicia J.; Martins, Diane C.; Schwartz‐Barcott, Donna
• Is Part Of: Public health nursing. Volume 32:Issue 1(2015:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2014-02-26
• Subjects: Public health nursing -- Periodicals; 610.734
• DOI: 10.1111/phn.12117
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-1209

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="phn12117-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To examine the impact of an international service learning experience (ISL) using a quantitative and qualitative approach.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Sample</title> <p>A descriptive study was used to explore the impact of an ISL experience on global awareness, professional and personal growth with 11 baccalaureate nursing students in the Dominican Republic.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Intervention</title> <p>Students participated in a three credit ISL program in the Dominican Republic which included pre‐ and postexperience seminars and a 2‐week, on‐site immersion experience.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Measures</title> <p>The International Education Survey (IES) was used as the quantitative measure. Content analysis of Critical Reflective Inquiry (CRI) narratives was used as the qualitative method.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Students reported a high overall impact (<italic>M</italic> = 5.9) using the IES with high means for the Professional Student Nurse Role (<italic>M</italic> = 6.10, <italic>SD</italic>: 0.74), Personal Development (<italic>M</italic> = 6.08, <italic>SD</italic>: 0.76), International Perspectives (<italic>M</italic> = 6.03, <italic>SD</italic>: 0.71), and a lower mean for Intellectual Development (<italic>M</italic> = 5.40, <italic>SD</italic>: 0.69). CRI narratives revealed specific areas of impact, for example, increased empathy and ability to communicate effectively with patients from life situations very different from their own.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12117-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Further exploration of the usefulness of various evaluation tools and methodological designs is warranted to understand this type of pedagogy and its' impact on student learning outcomes short‐ and long‐term.</p> </sec> </abstract>