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Schelfhout S, Vandecasteele R, De Maesschalck S, D’hondt F, Willems S, Derous E. Intercultural Competence Predicts Intercultural Effectiveness: Test of an Integrative Framework. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084490. [PMID: 35457357 PMCID: PMC9026297 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Why does someone thrive in intercultural situations; while others seem to struggle? In 2014, Leung and colleagues summarized the literature on intercultural competence and intercultural effectiveness into a theoretical framework. This integrative framework hypothesizes that the interrelations between intercultural traits, intercultural attitudes and worldviews, and intercultural capabilities predict the effectiveness with which individuals respond to intercultural situations. An empirically verified framework can contribute to understanding intercultural competence and effectiveness in health care workers, thus contributing to more equity in health care. The present study sets out to test this integrative framework in a specific health care context. Future health care practitioners (N = 842) in Flanders (Belgium) were questioned on all multidimensional components of the framework. Structural equation modeling showed that our data were adequate to even a good fit with the theoretical framework, while providing at least partial evidence for all hypothesized relations. Results further showed that intercultural capabilities remain the major gateway toward more effective intercultural behavior. Especially the motivation and cognition dimensions of cultural intelligence seem to be key factors, making these dimensions an excellent target for training, practical interventions, and identifying best practices, ultimately supporting greater intercultural effectiveness and more equity in health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Schelfhout
- Research Group Vocational and Personnel Psychology, Department of Work, Organisation and Society, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Interdepartmental Research Group Vocational and Personnel Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Robin Vandecasteele
- Research Group Equity in Health Care, Quality & Safety, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, University Hospital Campus Entrance 42, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (R.V.); (S.D.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Stéphanie De Maesschalck
- Research Group Equity in Health Care, Quality & Safety, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, University Hospital Campus Entrance 42, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (R.V.); (S.D.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Fanny D’hondt
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Sara Willems
- Research Group Equity in Health Care, Quality & Safety, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, University Hospital Campus Entrance 42, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (R.V.); (S.D.M.); (S.W.)
- Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Derous
- Research Group Vocational and Personnel Psychology, Department of Work, Organisation and Society, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Interdepartmental Research Group Vocational and Personnel Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Holmström IK, Kaminsky E, Höglund AT, Carlsson M. A survey of nursing teachers' awareness of discrimination and inequity in telephone nursing care. BMC Nurs 2021; 20:240. [PMID: 34852806 PMCID: PMC8638536 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-021-00762-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nursing care should be respectful of and unrestricted by patients’ age, ethnicity, gender, dis/abilities or social status, and such values should be taught to nursing students. Nursing teachers are crucial as role models, and their values are essential. In telephone nursing, only age, sex and ethnicity are known to the registered nurses, which can be challenging. The aim of this study was to explore awareness of discrimination and inequity in telephone nursing among nursing teachers. Methods A study specific survey was filled in by 135 nursing teachers from three universities in Sweden. The survey included short descriptions of 12 fictive persons who differed in age, ethnicity and sex and with questions about their estimated life situation. The teachers’ estimations of life situation were ranked from lowest probability to highest probability. A ‘good life index’ was constructed and calculated for each fictive person. It included quality of life, power over one’s own life and experience of discrimination. Results The results indicate that the nursing teachers were aware of how power and age, ethnicity and sex are related; that is, they were aware of discrimination and inequity in healthcare. The persons assessed to be most likely to lead a good life were males of Swedish origin, followed by females of Swedish origin. Persons with non-European origin were estimated to have the highest probability of experiencing discrimination. Conclusions The nursing teachers were aware of discrimination and inequity in healthcare. They were able to estimate a fictive person’s life situation based on the limited knowledge of age, ethnicity and sex. This is important, as their values are pivotal in theoretical and practical nursing education. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-021-00762-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inger K Holmström
- School of Health, Care, and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Box 883, SE- 721 23, Västerås, Sweden. .,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Elenor Kaminsky
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna T Höglund
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marianne Carlsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden.,Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, SE-80176, Gävle, Sweden
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Kaminsky E, Höglund AT. Swedish Healthcare Direct managers' views on gender (in)equity: applying a conceptual model. Int J Equity Health 2019; 18:114. [PMID: 31340821 PMCID: PMC6657095 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1011-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although Swedish legislation prescribes equity in healthcare, inequitable healthcare is repeatedly reported in Sweden. Telephone nursing is suggested to promote equitable healthcare, making it just one call away for anyone, at any time, irrespective of distance. However, paediatric health calls reflect that male parents are referred to other health services twice as much as female parents are. Regarding equity in healthcare, telephone nurses have expressed a continuum from Denial and Defence to Openness and Awareness. To make a change, Action is also needed, within organizational frames. The aim here was thus to investigate Swedish Healthcare Direct managers’ views on gender (in)equity in healthcare through the application of a conceptual model, developed based on empirical Swedish Healthcare Direct telephone RN data, as a baseline measure at the service’s national implementation. Methods All Swedish Healthcare Direct managers were interviewed during the period March–May 2012. They were asked how they view equitable healthcare, and how they work to achieve it. A conceptual model for attaining equity in healthcare, including Denial, Defence, Openness, Awareness and Action, was used in a deductive thematic analysis of the interview data. Results The five model concepts – Denial; Defence; Openness; Awareness and Action – were found in a variety of combinations in the manager interviews. Denial and Defence were mentioned to a higher extent than Openness and Awareness. Several informants denied inequity, arguing that the decision support tool prevented this. However, those who primarily expressed Denial and Defence were also open to learning more on the subject. Action was only mentioned twice in the informants’ answers, and then only implicitly. Conclusion Although a majority of the interviewed managers expressed a lack of awareness of (in)equity in healthcare, they also expressed an openness to learning more. While this may reflect a desire to show political correctness, it also points to the need for educational training in order to increase the awareness of (in)equity in healthcare among healthcare managers. Future follow up measurements will reveal if this has happened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elenor Kaminsky
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Anna T Höglund
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Box 564, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
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Höglander J, Sundler AJ, Spreeuwenberg P, Holmström IK, Eide H, van Dulmen S, Eklund JH. Emotional communication with older people: A cross-sectional study of home care. Nurs Health Sci 2019; 21:382-389. [PMID: 30957364 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the influence of characteristics of nurses and older people on emotional communication in home care settings. A generalized, linear, mixed model was used to analyze 188 audio-recorded home care visits coded with Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences. The results showed that most emotional distress was expressed by older females or with female nurses. The elicitation of an expression of emotional distress was influenced by the nurses' native language and profession. Older women aged 65-84 years were given the most space for emotional expression. We found that emotional communication was primarily influenced by sex for nurses and older people, with an impact on the frequency of expressions of and responses to emotional distress. Expressions of emotional distress by older males were less common and could risk being missed in communication. The results have implications for students' and health professionals' education in increasing their knowledge of and attentiveness to the impacts of their and others' characteristics and stereotypes on emotional communication with older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Höglander
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Annelie J Sundler
- Department of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
| | - Peter Spreeuwenberg
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Inger K Holmström
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hilde Eide
- Science Centre Health and Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, Drammen, Norway
| | - Sandra van Dulmen
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Science Centre Health and Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, Drammen, Norway.,Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jakob H Eklund
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
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