Keywords

cultural competence assessment tool, cultural competence education, Leininger, palliative care, theory of culture care diversity and universality

 

Authors

  1. Bhat, Ann Marie DNP, ACNP-BC, ACHPN
  2. Wehbe-Alamah, Hiba PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CTN-A
  3. McFarland, Marilyn PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CTN-A
  4. Filter, Marilyn PhD, RN, CNM
  5. Keiser, Megan DNP, RN

Abstract

Research supports the premise that cultural competence in health care improves care delivery and patient outcomes. Despite efforts to promote patient-centered care and respect for choices across the illness trajectories, cultural considerations of palliative care remain poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to determine if, after completing cultural competence education, registered nurses working in a combined palliative care and hospice unit increased their cultural awareness, sensitivity, and cultural assessment documentation. The study used a quasi-experimental design and took place in a 1070-bed Midwestern hospital. Fifteen registered nurses participated. The intervention consisted of 3 Web-based cultural competence education modules. A preintervention and postintervention electronic chart audit identified 80 charts meeting inclusion criteria. The charts' cultural assessment data, which had been completed by nurses upon patient admission, were extracted and analyzed. The nurses also completed the Cultural Competence Assessment tool preintervention and postintervention. Analysis of the postintervention data showed the nurses had increased their cultural awareness, sensitivity, and cultural assessment documentation. These findings support the use of Web-based education and show how this format can translate cultural competency knowledge into nursing practice. Providing this education is an important component in creating an environment that provides culturally congruent palliative care.