Embedding reflection sessions in (inter)cultural awareness trainings: value and learning outcomes based on workshops for health and social care professionals
| Date | 23 October 2024 |
| Pages | 374-387 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-04-2024-0027 |
| Published date | 23 October 2024 |
| Author | Nahed Munir Arafat,Jane Woodin,Amanda Savioli Marques Tavares |
Embedding reflection sessions in (inter)
cultural awareness trainings: value and
learning outcomes based on workshops
for health and social care professionals
Nahed Munir Arafat, Jane Woodin and Amanda Savioli Marques Tavares
Abstract
Purpose –This article discusses the importance of the relationship between cultural awareness (CA)
training and post-training reflection in the health-care sector, and considers the implications for future
developmentsfor CA training in relation to content, audience,process and format.
Design/methodology/approach –A total of 77 health and social care professionals (HCSPs) took part
in a 4-h CA training, 25 of whom also optedfor an additional optional reflection hour. The resultsreported
on in this paper are drawnfrom the experiences of the 25 participants in the optionalreflection sessions
(RSs), usinga thematic analysis approach.
Findings –Participantshighly valued the ‘‘safe space’’ in both the CA workshop and the optional follow-
on RS, enabling them to shareexperiences, revisit topics and feel supportedto put things into practice.
They also reported a growing confidence in dealing with interculturalchallenges, in particular in asking
questionsand being curious about topics they did not understand.
Originality/value –This research pointstowards a strong recommendation for open-ended CA training,
allowing participantsto articulate their experiences,fears and concerns. It also highlights the importance
of a follow-on RS as an integral part of CA training; both of these were found to offer opportunities for
strengthening HSCPs’ skills and facilitate the transition of learning from the workshopcontext into the
workplace,with the ultimate aim of reducing inequalitiesin the quality of patient care.
Keywords Cultural awareness training, reflection, Health and social care professional,
Intercultural challenges, Skills, Knowledge, Reducing inequalities
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
A lack of cultural awareness (CA) in mental health settings is considered a major
contributing factor to increased disengagement, systematic inequalities and poorer
recovery outcomes of mental health services among people from minority ethnic
backgrounds (Clegg et al.,2016;Lok, 2022). To provide equitable and ethical care to
patients [1] from diverse backgrounds as well as to work effectively in cross-cultural
situations (Kaphle et al.,2021), mental health professionals are constantly encouraged to
develop their CA, skills and attitudes that are culturally appropriate to generate a dialogue
with patients from diverse backgrounds about their mental health experiences, identifying
and working towards clarifyingmisunderstandings (Arafat, 2018).
In recognition of the importance of cultural competence in mental health care, many
researchers (Kaihlanen et al., 2019;Naz et al.,2019;Turner, 2019;Kang and Moran, 2020;
Faheem, 2023) have explored the experiences of mental health practitioners who are
Nahed Munir Arafat, Jane
Woodin and Amanda
Savioli Marques Tavares
are all based at Faculty of
Arts and Humanities,
School of Languages and
Cultures, The University of
Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Received 17 April 2024
Revised 25 September 2024
Accepted 26 September 2024
PAGE 374 jMENTAL HEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL jVOL. 29 NO. 42024, pp. 374-387,©EmeraldPublishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322DOI 10.1108/MHRJ-04-2024-0027
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