A multilevel investigation of cultural competence among South Korean clinical nurses

BACKGROUND

There is lack of empirical evidence on whether organisational variables affect the cultural competence of nurses.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate individual and organisational characteristics associated with South Korean clinical nurses' cultural competence.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. A convenient sample of 401 clinical nurses from 21 hospitals in South Korea was recruited between November 2015 and February 2016. Multilevel modelling was used to estimate the effects of individual- and organisation-level predictors. Data were analysed using the nlme package in R.

RESULTS

Multilevel modelling indicated that professionalism (β = 0.02, p < 0.001) and foreign language fluency (β = 0.25, p = 0.012) were significant individual-level predictors. Education on foreign patient care was marginally significant at p = 0.069. At the organisational level, nurse-to-patient ratio (β = 0.37, p = 0.038) and organisational cultural competence (β = 0.02, p < 0.001) were significant predictors. In addition, hospital ownership and work environment were marginally significant at p = 0.054 and p = 0.050, respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant cross-level interaction between professionalism and hospital ownership (β = 0.03, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

To provide culturally competent care, nurse leaders should recognise the importance of organisational-level factors, such as nurse staffing and organisational cultural competence, and create an environment that is inclusive of diverse patients, as well as promote professionalism among individual nurses.

Experience of migrant care and needs for cultural competence training among public health workers in Korea

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the experiences of public health workers (PHWs) providing health care for migrants living in Korea and clarified needs for cultural competence training.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

Twenty-six PHWs from five public health centers in Gwangju city, South Korea, participated in this exploratory qualitative study.

METHODS

Five semi-structured focus group interviews of PHWs were conducted from September to December 2016. A directed content analysis approach was conducted using four categories: perceived characteristics of migrants, interaction between PHWs and migrants, interaction between PHWs and organizations/systems, and cultural competence training needs.

RESULTS

PHWs perceived that migrants lacked autonomy in health decisions and awareness of health behaviors. PHWs experienced difficulties in communicating and in establishing trusting relationships. They found clients hard to reach and easy to miss, a lack of continuity in health care programs, and inadequate human and material resources. They preferred passive teaching methods to activity-based simulation. PHWs believed essential training should be provided through e-learning to all PHWs, including management.

CONCLUSION

PHWs reported experiencing multiple challenges from a lack of preparedness for culturally competent care and their clients' vulnerability. Development of cultural competence training is suggested through e-learning that reflects the PHWs' experiences and provides systematic support.