The Transformational Power of an Intercultural Research Team

Abstract

This chapter explores how a group of researchers, clinicians, and educators from different cultural perspectives and experiences crafted a new shared identity and new understandings through the process of engaging in a collaborative research project. The international team brought clinical and research expertise in palliative and healing care modalities that spanned countries and professional practices. Data collection for the project took place at a community-based palliative care program housed on the grounds of a rural Buddhist Temple in Thailand in January 2020. Prior to this, the team met virtually to plan and design research methods to systematically explore the nature of a community-based palliative care program and identify elements that foster resilience and compassionate care among palliative care professional and volunteer providers.

Interpretive descriptive phenomenology [Thorne et al. (International Journal of Qualitative Methods 3(1):1–11, 2004)] was used to analyse the qualitative data as it is well suited for cross-cultural research and offer a true fusion of horizons and understanding of practices (others’ and our own). This analytical methodology aligns well when exploring experience-based clinical phenomena. Prior to and throughout analysis, each researcher identified and described their multiple ways of knowing—personal and professional positions. Ongoing self and team reflection became central to the analytical process; gathering and comparing perspectives to develop a coherent and thoughtful synthesis. The analytic process was strengthened by the mosaic of cultures that informed individual and shared perceptions, past experiences, and a collective commitment to critically reflect on the meanings of the data.