Improving intercultural competence through a combined virtual exchange and simulated pandemic response exercise

Improving intercultural competence through a combined virtual exchange and simulated pandemic response exercise 1 | WHAT PROBLEMS WERE ADDRESSED?'Intercultural competence' refers to the ability to communicate and cooperate with people from different backgrounds.As most healthcare workers frequently encounter colleagues and patients who have been shaped by diverse values, beliefs and experiences, intercultural competence can improve quality and outcomes in healthcare. 1The dominant approach to developing intercultural competence in higher education is international exchange programmes.These opportunities are often inaccessible to medical students because of the intensity and inflexibility of their courses.More generally, they are unattainable to students who cannot afford the cost and those unable to live away from home.