Becoming culturally sensitive: A painful process?

Objective: to discuss how midwifery students develop cultural sensitivity. Design: students carried out international observational elective placements and 13 matched self-assessments from before and after a Global Midwifery Module were compared. The module is based around a model of immersion and permitted measured responses and qualitative evaluation to be explored. Settings: observational placements occurred in the UK, America, Canada, and Gutamala. Participants: seventeen year 3 midwifery students. Findings: raised awareness about international midwifery was identified; the module contributed to enhancement of practice, confidence about caring for those from a different culture varied, the process of critical reflection was uncomfortable for some. Key conclusions: critical reflection facilitated in a safe place may support individuals to transform their way of thinking. Implications for practice: responsibility for developing cultural sensitivity should lie with the individual. However, leaders need to facilitate space for critical reflection. Critical self-assessment and reflection about cultural sensitivity should be part of a life long learning approach. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.