Lessons in population health in Peru: A global health experience

BACKGROUND AND ISSUES: Global health experiences offer a unique opportunity for students at multiple levels ( BSN, FNP, DNP) to work together caring for patients and families of another culture. Preparation for these international experiences is critical to the learning experience. DESCRIPTION: Several years ago a physician initiated a program in response to the epidemiological study of cervical cancer in third world country. Graduate and undergraduate students are offered the opportunity to travel with faculty to work in this clinic in Cusco Peru. Preparation for the trip began with a community assessment to identify public health concerns for the Peru population. Students interviewed key informants such as health care providers who had participated in prior trips to Cusco. The assessment prepared students for the culture, the economic and political environment, as well as identification of leading health issues for the population. After health issues were identified, students planned a health promotion project to implement during the trip that supports the effort of the initiative. FINDINGS AND LESSONS LEARNED: Students traveled to the clinic and shared their learning outcomes upon return. Their focus topics for discussion included population health, social justice, advocacy, access to care and the comparison of health care system, links with community partnerships, as well as sociocultural learning and value differences. The findings will guide preparation experience for future students in global health travel opportunities and collaboration with health care teams. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations related to this global health experience within the nursing curriculum were identified based on the evaluation process after the trip.