The Effectiveness of Short-Term International Clinical Practicum Experiences on Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Students' Cultural Development and Critical Clinical Thinking Skills

Abstract

This paper examined what effect short-term international clinical practicum experiences had on Howard University (HU) Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) graduate students' clinical skills. The CSD graduate student participants reflected on their attitudes and perception of the short-term international clinical practicum experience conducted during the winter and summer sessions of 2013, 2014, and 2017. Transcribed video diary reflections, focus group reflections, and survey responses captured the views, pedagogical knowledge, and skills and perceptions of 13 CSD first-year graduate students. The findings revealed five themes related to perceptions, cultural awareness, clinical development, and pedagogical knowledge. Findings of the study also revealed that providing CSD graduate students with the opportunity to participate in short-term international clinical practicums increased their clinical skills, cultural and self-awareness, and changed some perceptions they may have had about other cultures. This paper also reflects on the recommended incorporation of clinical supervision for short-term international clinical practicum programs, and key factors critical to the development and successful implementation of such a program.