Identification of multicultural learning experiences following an international cross campus medical student exchange programme between the UK and Malaysia: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: In an increasingly global society, there is a need to develop culturally competent doctors who can work effectively across diverse populations. International learning opportunities in undergraduate healthcare programmes show various benefits. In medical education, these occur predominantly towards the end of degree programmes as electives, with scant examples of programmes for preclinical students. This study set out to identify the multicultural learning experiences following an early year international medical student exchange programme between the UK and Malaysian campuses of one UK medical school. SETTING: Two cohorts of international exchange programme for second year medical students in the UK and Malaysia. DESIGN: Interpretivist qualitative design using semistructured interviews/focus groups with students and faculty. METHODS: Participants were asked about their learning experiences during and after the exchange. Data were recorded with consent and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) overall benefits of the exchange programme, (2) personal growth and development, (3) understanding and observing a different educational environment and (4) experiencing different healthcare systems. CONCLUSION: The international exchange programme highlighted differences in learning approaches, students from both campuses gained valuable learning experiences which increased their personal growth, confidence, cultural competence, giving them an appreciation of a better work–life balance and effective time management skills. It is often a challenge to prepare healthcare professionals for work in a global multicultural workplace and we would suggest that exchange programmes early on in a medical curriculum would go some way to addressing this challenge.