Cultural Competence

Cultural Competence

A key component of cultural competence is to examine one's own beliefs in terms of culture and identify and understand the different cultures in the communities served.

Self-assessment tools can help nurses learn about their own assumptions, biases, and stereotypes. As the previous situations with the health care provider and teens depicted, individual assumptions, biases, and stereotypes have an impact on how providers treat their patients. Awareness of one's own beliefs and attitudes is a first step to ensuring that you are not providing differential care to patients based on assumptions, biases, and stereotypes. Nurses need to be aware of the many different beliefs and desires of their patients and not make assumptions based on their own beliefs or training.

A Self-Assessment Checklist: Promoting Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competence has been provided as an exercise toward self evaluation only. Please take a few minutes to complete by choosing A, B, or C for each item. THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE RETURNED AND IS TO BE USED FOR YOUR OWN SELF ANALYSIS.

Instructions: For each item listed below, enter A, B, or C in the right column.

A = Things I do frequently
B = Things I do occasionally
C = Things I do rarely or never

Communication Styles
1.

For limited English proficiency (LEP) patients, I attempt to learn and use key words in their language so that I am better able to communicate with them during a medical encounter.

A B C
2.

I use trained interpreters during clinical encounters with LEP patients.

A B C
3.

When interacting with LEP patients, I always keep in mind that:

A B C

a.Limitation in English proficiency is in no way a reflection of their level of intellectual functioning.

A B C

b.Their limited ability to speak the language of the dominant culture has no bearing on their ability tocommunicate effectively in their preferred language.

A B C

c.They may or may not be literate in their preferred language or English.

A B C
4.

When possible, I ensure that all notices and communications to patients are written in their preferred language.

A B C
Values and Attitudes
5.

I avoid imposing values that may conflict or be inconsistent with those of cultures or ethnic groups other than my own.

A B C
6.

I screen books, movies, and other media resources for negative cultural, ethnic, or racial stereotypes, before sharing them with patients.

A B C
7.

I intervene in an appropriate manner when I observe other staff, patients, or families engaging in behaviors that show cultural insensitivity or prejudice.

A B C
8.

I understand and accept that family is defined differently by different cultures (e.g., extended family members, fictive kin, godparents).

A B C
9.

I recognize and accept that individuals from different culturally diverse backgrounds may desire varying degrees of acculturation into the dominant culture.

A B C
10.

I accept and respect that male-female roles in families may vary significantly among different cultures (e.g., who makes major decisions for the family).

A B C
11.

I understand that age and life cycle factors must be considered in interactions with individuals and families (e.g., high value placed on the decisions of elders or the role of the eldest male in families).

A B C
12.

Even though my professional and moral viewpoints may differ, I accept the family/parents as the ultimate decision makers for services and supports for their children.

A B C
13.

I recognize that the meaning or value of medical treatment and health education may vary greatly among cultures.

A B C
14.

I accept that religion and other beliefs may influence how families respond to illness, disease, and death.

A B C
15.

I recognize and accept that folk and religious beliefs may influence a family's reaction to and approach to disability or special health care needs.

A B C
16.

I understand that traditional approaches to health care are influenced by culture.

A B C
17.

I understand that families from different cultures have different expectations of their children.

A B C
18.

I accept and respect that customs and beliefs about food and its value, preparation, and use are different from culture to culture.

A B C
19.

Before visiting or providing services in the home setting, I seek information about acceptable behaviors, courtesies, customs, and expectations that are unique to families or specific cultures and ethnic groups.

A B C
20.

I seek information from family members or other key community informants, which will assist in service adaptation to respond to the needs and preferences of culturally and ethnically diverse patients.

A B C
21.

I advocate for the review of my organization's mission statement, goals, policies, and procedures, to ensure that they incorporate principles and practices that promote cultural diversity and cultural competence.

A B C

Scoring: A B C FOR SELF ANALYSIS ONLY, DO NOT HAND IN

If you frequently responded with "A": You demonstrate effective communication style and strong ability to interact with your patients based on your personal experience with them rather than on cultural stereotypes. You show strong commitment to engage in active learning about your patients' cultural practices and delivering culturally competent care.

If you frequently responded with "B": The effectiveness of your communication with your patients may be inhibited by pre-existing cultural stereotypes. These stereotypes may limit your ability to learn more about patients' cultures and deliver culturally competent care.

If you frequently responded with "C": You may not necessarily demonstrate values and engage in practices that promote a culturally diverse and culturally competent service delivery system for patients.

Now is the time to reflect on your score, to make changes in how you may handle culturally diverse client populations and strive to provide culturally competent care for the betterment of all clients. Everyone has room for improvement.