title: Becoming culturally sensitive: a painful process?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to discuss how midwifery students develop cultural sensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  observational placements occurred in the UK, America, Canada, and Gutamala.
  
  
  METHODS
  seventeen year 3 midwifery students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  critical reflection facilitated in a safe place may support individuals to transform their way of thinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, United Kingdom. briscoel@edgehill.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Briscoe
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D017145:Models, Educational; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*