Knowledge transfer and appropriation processes of nursing students and African settings of care : a multiple case study

Background : in this era of globalisation and international academic training, many nursing programs offer the possibility of intercultural placement to their students in their initial training. The rise of this phenomena is ubiquitous throughout all Canadian universities, leading to increased student mobility at the international level with increased placements being organised at the international level, on several continents. Purpose : this exploratory study aims at better understanding the processes of knowledge transfer and appropriation during international and intercultural placements in nursing in African countries. Framework : the models of empowerment and the Cycle of knowledge to practice have guided this study. Method : a multiple case study has been conducted with six settings of care from two countries of Africa. Individual interviews were conducted with the nursing students (n=11) and with the African nurses supervisors (n=9), and group interviews with the local partners (n=2). Direct and participant observations were also done by the nursing students while they were in Africa in the summer and by the two principal investigators when they spent a week in the settings of care, the following fall. Results : advantages of this learning activity were noted, especially in regards to personal and professional growth of the nursing students and in regards to knowledge transfer to the host settings. Discussion : four themes emerged and led to recommendations as to the importance of: 1) bidirectional communication, continuity of projects between cohorts of nurses, and support at distance and on site, 2) reinforcement of the emancipatory sociopolitical knowing 3) diversity of care and community sites and expositions, and 4) different phases of the Cycle of knowledge to practice.