Cultural Competence:
The Missing Ingredient for Exceptional Nursing
Practice
By;
Mazlinda Musa
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Objectives
1. To develop cultural self-awareness through reflect on personal cultural biases, assumptions, and
values.
2. To identify strategies for culturally competent
nursing care through exploring the approaches such as patient-centred care, individualized care plans, and incorporating cultural practices into care
delivery.
Introduction:
• Cultural competence refers to the ability to understand and interact effectively with individuals from
different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
• In an increasingly diverse world, cultural
competence has become crucial for individuals and organizations to foster inclusive and
respectful environments.
• However, achieving cultural competence is not without challenges.
Introduction (cont…):
• Cultural competence is a critical aspect of nursing practice that involves the ability to provide care that is respectful, responsive, and appropriate to the cultural backgrounds of patients.
• It is essential to provide high-quality, equitable
care and to address health disparities.
Definition
• Is defined as the ability of healthcare providers to recognize and appreciate the cultural
backgrounds, values, beliefs, and behaviors of patients and provide appropriate care that aligns with their cultural needs and preferences
(Campinha-Bacote, 2011).
• Nursing Practice Cultural competence is essential for promoting patient-centered care, enhancing patient satisfaction, and
improving health outcomes.
• It also helps to reduce health disparities and increase patient trust and confidence in healthcare providers (The Joint Commission, 2021).
Historical and Current Context of Cultural
Competence in Nursing
• The concept of cultural competence emerged in nursing practice in the 1980s, as a response to the growing diversity of patient populations and the need for more culturally sensitive care.
• Over the years, cultural competence has
become a key component of nursing education and practice (Jeffreys, 2015).
Barriers to Achieving Cultural Competence
• Lack of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication with patients from different cultural backgrounds (Campinha-Bacote, 2011).
• Language Barriers
• Can also hinder the development of cultural competence in nursing practice.
• Nurses who are not proficient in the patient's language may have difficulty communicating with them and providing appropriate care (Jeffreys, 2015).
Barriers to Achieving Cultural Competence (cont…)
• Stereotyping and Prejudices
• Can also pose significant barriers to achieving cultural competence in nursing practice.
• Nurses who have preconceived notions about patients based on their cultural backgrounds may provide care that is not aligned with the patient's needs and preferences (The Joint Commission, 2021).
• Cultural Humility as an Approach to Overcoming
• Is an approach that promotes openness, self-reflection, and a willingness to learn from patients from different cultural
backgrounds.
• It can help nurses overcome barriers to achieving cultural competence in nursing practice (Campinha-Bacote, 2011).
Strategies for Developing Cultural Competence
• Education and Training Education and training programs can help nurses develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for providing culturally competent care. These programs can include courses on cultural diversity, language proficiency, and cultural immersion experiences (The Joint Commission, 2021).
• Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment can help nurses become more aware of their own cultural biases and assumptions and develop a
more open and reflective approach to patient care (Campinha-Bacote, 2011).
Strategies for Developing
Cultural Competence (cont…)
• Exposure Cultural immersion experiences, such as
attending cultural events and participating in community activities, can help nurses develop a deeper
understanding of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs (Jeffreys, 2015).
• Developing Cultural Competence as a Lifelong Process Cultural competence is a lifelong process that requires ongoing education, self-reflection, and cultural
immersion. Nurses must commit to continuous learning and personal growth to provide culturally competent care throughout their careers (The Joint Commission, 2021).
The Impact of Cultural Competence on Patient Outcomes
• Improved Patient Satisfaction Cultural competence can improve patient satisfaction by ensuring that patients
receive care that is aligned with their beliefs, values, and preferences.
• Patients who receive culturally competent care report higher levels of satisfaction, have better health outcomes, and are more likely to adhere to their treatment plan (National Center for Cultural Competence, 2019).
• Better Patient Outcomes Cultural competence can also lead to better patient outcomes by promoting patient- centered care and reducing health disparities
(Campinha-Bacote, 2011).
Conclusion:
• Cultural competence is a critical component of nursing
practice. Nurses who are culturally competent can provide patient-centered care that aligns with patients' beliefs,
values, and preferences.
• Achieving cultural competence requires overcoming barriers such as lack of cultural awareness, language barriers, stereotyping, and prejudices.
• Strategies for developing cultural competence include education and training, cultural assessment, and
interprofessional collaboration.
• The impact of cultural competence on patient outcomes includes improved patient satisfaction, better health
outcomes, and reduced health disparities.
References:
• Campinha-Bacote, J. (2011). Delivering patient-centered care in the midst of a cultural conflict: The role of cultural competence. The
Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 16(2), 1-14.
• Jeffreys, M. R. (2015). Teaching cultural competence in nursing and healthcare: Inquiry, action, and innovation. Springer Publishing
Company.
• National Center for Cultural Competence. (2019). Cultural competence in nursing practice. Retrieved from
https://nccc.georgetown.edu/curricula-modules/cultural- competence-in-nursing-practice/
