title: Building Cultural Sensitivity and Interprofessional Collaboration Through a Study Abroad Experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Study abroad (SA) experiences for health professions students may be used to heighten cultural sensitivity to future patients and incorporate interprofessional education (IPE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of nursing and pharmacy students participated in an SA elective over a 2-year period, traveling to China and India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups improved significantly in knowledge, awareness, and skills following the travel experiences. Student reflections indicate that the SA experience was transformative, changing their views of travel, other cultures, personal environment, collaboration with other health professionals, and themselves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of SA programs is a novel method to encourage IPE, with a focus on enhancing the acquisition of cultural competency skills.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gilliland
authors.forename: Russell T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Attridge
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Attridge
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Maize
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNeill
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D054521:Cultural Competency; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D007194:India; D007391:International Cooperation; D007400:Interprofessional Relations