Reflexive photography: an alternative method for documenting the learning process of cultural competence.

PURPOSE

This qualitative descriptive study used reflexive photography to evaluate the learning process of cultural competence during an international service-learning project in Guatemala. Reflexive photography is an innovative qualitative research technique that examines participants' interactions with their environment through their personal reflections on images that they captured during their experience.

DESIGN

A purposive sample of 10 baccalaureate nursing students traveled to Guatemala, where they conducted family and community assessments, engaged in home visits, and provided health education. Data collection involved over 100 photographs and a personal interview with each student.

FINDINGS

The themes developed from the photographs and interviews provided insight into the activities of an international experience that influence the cognitive, practical, and affective learning of cultural competence.

CONCLUSIONS

Making home visits and teaching others from a different culture increased students' transcultural self-efficacy.

IMPLICATIONS

Reflexive photography is a more robust method of self-reflection, especially for visual learners.