Using Web 2.0 in cultural immersive health education

Developing empathy is one of several key principles in working in general practice and is of particular importance in the cross-cultural environment. Arguably it is more difficult to empathize with patients from another culture whose viewpoint differs based on their cultural and social experiences. Cultural immersion and plunges is a well-researched and documented approach in solving the issues of empathy and cross-cultural interactions. Cultural immersion involves participants being placed in an unfamiliar cultural environment ; and participants are guided to reflect on their experiences through proposed activities before, during and after the immersion event. This paper will outline and discuss: 1. The cultural immersive activities at NTGPE for health students, junior doctors and GP registrars in Australian Aboriginal communities 2. The use of Web 2.0 also know as the "social web" to allow learners to generate, publish and share content more easily including reflective writing which are crucial in cultural competence training.