International Learning Initiative Part 2: Enhancing Antiracism Awareness Among Nursing Students in Sweden and the USA

Abstract

Background: Notwithstanding nursing's emphasis on equity, social justice and respect for human rights, racism continues to prevail in healthcare. Healthcare professionals are ethically bound to design and implement methods of antiracist practice to ensure equity of care. We created an antiracism learning intervention using a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) module, where a multicultural learning environment was developed by bringing together students from different countries. The COIL module promoted discussion and reflection among students to address this sensitive topic. Students engaged in forums that challenged their existing biases and preconceived notions. Aim: To describe students' learning about an antiracist international online learning initiative between Sweden and the USA, designed to raise awareness about racism in healthcare. Methods: A qualitative inductive research design was chosen to analyse 46 students' (27 Swedish students and 19 American students) reflections on the learning module using content analysis. Results: One main category that emerged was “Learning about racism cross-culturally enhances awareness contributing to mindfulness”. Students' experiences were further described in two generic categories: (a) Learning about racism contributes to new knowledge, and (b) Reflecting with others challenges one's attitudes. Within each of the generic categories, two sub-categories were identified. Conclusion: Engaging in cross-cultural discussions focusing on racism in healthcare seemed to enhance students' awareness and broaden their perspectives on racism and antiracism. Their perceived sense of responsibility for advocating for racialised minority patients and peers also seemed to expand. These findings not only potentially aid healthcare professionals in recognising racism within healthcare but also emphasise the need for increased awareness of methods addressing racism in clinician education curricula.