Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | Online Cross-Cultural Dialogue: A Pilot for Transcultural Learning in Postgraduate Psychiatry Training |
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| Contribution code | D3.113 |
| Authors | |
| Form of presentation | Poster |
| Topic |
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| Abstract |
Aims : As an example of new approaches to transcultural learning, we report on two pilots in child and adolescent psychiatry postgraduate training. They aimed to seek how a foreign colleague could add a perspective to local training practices through dialogue and scaffolding. Methods : Two pilots were conducted, one with Cambodian trainees who worked with a senior supervisor/trainer from The Netherlands and another with Estonian trainees and staff who worked with a senior supervisor/trainer from the UK. Both pilots used internet videoconferencing for monthly 1–2-h sessions over a year. Sessions were attended by 8–10 participants in each session. In general, one or two cases per session were discussed in depth, with a focus on descriptive diagnosis, classification, and therapy with the best available evidence. Results and conclusions : These pilots show that transcultural learning in a dialogue model benefits both the expert from abroad and the local group. It also shows that online videoconferencing can facilitate such transcultural meetings. Cultural differences were not seen as a barrier to learning; rather, they acted as a bridge to cultural awareness. A fresh view from outside combined with culture sensitive curiosity helped to gain more insight in the complex etiology of psychiatric disorders, where all parties felt invited to challenge their own assumptions. By engaging in cross-cultural dialogue, participants were able to challenge their preconceived notions and develop a more nuanced understanding of mental health issues in different cultural contexts. |