The Role of Debriefing in a Community Health Study Abroad

Authors

Johnathan Steppe, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Mary Katherine White, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Diane L. Keen, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Barbara J. Blake, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Jon Thompson, Comunidad Connect, San Juan del Sur, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Department

WellStar School of Nursing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Study abroad experiences offer nursing students the opportunity to develop cultural competence and sensitivity while providing care within the context of a different culture. Debriefing is a strategy that engages students in conversation and active reflection to process emotions, examine personal values, and synthesize knowledge gained from active learning experiences. While debriefing can enhance learning outcomes in study abroad programs, there is currently a paucity of literature that explores its use within the context of study abroad. In this article, we describe a structured debriefing approach we use in an international community health clinical experience. We conclude with a discussion of the lessons we have learned to improve the effectiveness of our debriefing sessions and recommendations for future research.

Journal Title

Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society

Volume

33

Issue

1

First Page

105

Last Page

109

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/10436596211042411