A mixed-methods study of international student and scholar experiences in the U.S. healthcare system

The purpose of this exploratory sequential mixed-methods study was to understand the experiences and perspectives of international students and scholars in the U.S. healthcare settings on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus. Leveraging prominent intercultural competency frameworks situated in global health education, data were collected via surveys and follow-up interviews. The study aimed to identify the resources and skills required to enhance healthcare services for international students and scholars, and to pinpoint gaps in intercultural training among healthcare providers. Research focused on the intercultural healthcare experiences of international students and scholars in the U.S. is scarce. Simultaneously, global health education programs in high-income countries focus on the intercultural development of students in health-related fields, yet gaps remain in integrating these competencies into local healthcare contexts. Aligning these gaps, this study aimed to inform global health education, education abroad practitioners, university administrators, student development professionals and health service providers to enhance intercultural competency and to improve patient care outcomes in increasingly multicultural healthcare environments. Although not generalizable, the study's findings underscore the necessity to develop comprehensive training resources for both patients and healthcare providers not only benefitting the international students and scholars but the entire campus community. Future research should consider incorporating domestic students, employing a multi-campus design, and utilizing interdisciplinary teams to enhance study design and data analysis. These findings contribute to diversifying current research trends concerning international students in healthcare settings, aligning existing gaps and identifying new questions for future investigations within global health and intercultural education frameworks.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Erel Windes, Beste

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hinze-Pifer, Rebecca
• Davila, Liv
• Cope, Bill
• Lori, Jody

• International Students
• International Scholars
• Us Healthcare
• Intercultural
• Global Health Education
• Cultural Competency
• Ethnocentrism In Healthcare
• Culture Shock In Healthcare.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Beste Erel Windes

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127379

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F127379