Cultural competence of critical care nurses: a South African context

Abstract

South Africa has emerged as the rainbow nation. The Changing demographics within the country has resulted in cultural diversity within the health care system, including the Critical Care units. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of cultural competence of Critical Care nurses working in culturally diverse Critical Care units in South Africa, in order to make recommendations of whether the skills of cultural competence can assist Critical Care nurses in caring for the needs of culturally diverse patients and their family members. The setting for the study is the members of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA). A non-experimental, exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. A non-probability convenience sampling method was utilised. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire developed by Schim, Doorenbos, Benkert and Miller (2007) which explored the knowledge, feelings and actions of Critical Care nurses’ and skills of cultural competence, inclusive of cultural awareness and sensitivity and cultural behaviour. The questionnaire was administered via an on-line survey using RED CAP with feedback responses from participants via email. Findings in the study revealed 43.6% of the nurses rated themselves as very competent, 42.3% as somewhat competent and 17% as somewhat incompetent. In regard to the nurse respondent’s cultural awareness and sensitivity, the total mean score was 5.29 (SD 0.60), which showed a moderately high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity. In regard to the nurse respondent’s cultural behaviours, the total mean score was 4.06 (SD 1.30), which showed a moderate level of cultural competence. Cultural competence may well be the solution to improving quality of health care, improving patient outcomes and decreasing health care disparities.