Comparison of Perceived Nurses' Cultural Competence of Nurses and Foreign Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the differences in Korean nurses' cultural competence perceived by nurses and foreign patients in a general hospital. Methods: The study participants were recruited from outpatient clinics and wards in H General Hospital located in Busan. Cultural competence was measured by the Cultural Competence Scale for Korean Nurses, consisting of 4 subscales: cultural perception, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and cultural skills. Data were collected from March 31 to April 30, 2014 by distributing and collecting a self-administrated questionnaire set. Data of the 90 foreign patients and 90 nurses were analyzed using PASW statistics 18.0 for independent t-test and ANOVA. Results: The level of cultural competence of Korean nurses perceived by foreign patients was significantly higher than that of nurses. On the cultural awareness dimension, nurses rated themselves more highly than foreign patients did while ratings on the dimensions of cultural knowledge and cultural skill were the opposite. Conclusion: This study indicates that there was a statistically significant difference in the perception of nurses' cultural competence between nurses and foreign patients. The findings can be used for developing education programs to enhance nurses' cultural competence, integrating the perspectives of foreign patients.