Health Care and Culture in China: The Qingdao Experience
March 2009
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Students traveled to China during March 2009 to participate in a study abroad enrichment program focusing on China’s healthcare system. This program was developed in collaboration with Qingdao University’s College of Medical Science. Participants visited Beijing and Qingdao in the Shandong Province.

The aim of this TLO project was for students to participate in a study abroad enrichment program focusing on China’s healthcare system.  This program was developed in collaboration with Qingdao University’s College of Medical Science.  The learning objectives of this TLO included:

• Analyze structural and functional designs of health care services and systems in China
• Recognize and explain cultural, historical, geographic, and environmental factors influencing the delivery and use of health services in China.
• Identify and evaluate economic and political factors that influence health care in China.
• Discuss differences and commonalities in the health delivery systems and health outcomes in China and the United States.
• Apply knowledge gained in the study of the U.S health system to current problems and issues in delivery of health care in China.
• Synthesize health management principles, theoretical concepts and cultural factors impacting management and policy decisions in the Chinese health care system.
• Demonstrate in class discussions, presentations, and Forum Assignments how the delivery of health services and the organization of health care systems utilize knowledge from the disciplines of history, law, economics, political science, sociology, and psychology.

The lectures about China and China healthcare system from faculty members enhanced UNF students’ ability to critically compare China’s healthcare professions and institutions with those in the United States. The activities students engaged in this project such as the on-site visits to the Beijing CDC, Qingdao Hiser Medical Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and International Clinic of Qingdao Municipal Hospital provided the opportunity for UNF students to directly interact with China’s health care professionals and administrators to learn the operation and management of another different health care system. Finally, the discussion with China’s university students who are of the similar age certainly improved the understanding of both Universities and cultures. Therefore, the students can gain a global perspective on healthcare.

We asked students what was their most important learning from the TLO. The responses ranged from the following:

“I was the first one to present on the U.S. Healthcare System in Qingdao, China. I was nervous but was very happy that I actually accomplished this and can say that I am an international speaker.” Megan Smith

“It was interesting to see how the Qingdao University students perceived Americans and how we were able to positively dispel some of their perceptions.” Luke Alonso

“This was such an incredible experience, I am going to put my pictures on Facebook so that we can share this experience with others.” Jenna Bryan

“The use of alternative medicine is something that I was very interested in learning more about, I can not wait to go back to Mayo Clinic to tell them about the different procedures.” Rhonda Reeb

“I could see how the UNF students transformed the opinions of the Qingdao University students and vice versa.” Kerry Dunning