Linking Immigrants with Nutrition Knowledge (Project LINK): An Innovative Approach to Improve Cultural Competence in Dietetic Education

Abstract

Linking Immigrants with Nutrition Knowledge (Project LINK) was a service-learning cultural competence training programme completed by undergraduate dietetic students enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan’s (USASK) nutrition and dietetic programme. This paper evaluates the impact of participation in the programme on students’ cultural competence. We conducted a cross-sectional survey and qualitative analysis of reflective essays of 107 participants of Project LINK from 2011 to 2014. Cumulative logistic regression models assessed the impact of the intervention on students’ cultural competencies. The Akaike information criterion compared models and Spearman correlation coefficient identified possible correlation among pre- and post-intervention data points. Student reflective essays were analyzed by inductive thematic analysis. All cultural competencies improved comparing pre- and post-participation in Project LINK. Odds of increasing one level of student knowledge were 110 times of that prior to Project LINK. Comparing student competencies before and after Project LINK, the odds of increasing one level of students’ skills were six times greater, five times greater for increasing one level of students’ ability to interact or encounter, and 2.8 times greater for increasing one level of students’ attitude. The results of this study indicate Project LINK has successfully increased cultural competence and underscores the importance of combining opportunities for practical experience in addition to classroom-based training on cultural competence.