References
Investigating intercultural effectiveness of paediatric nurses in a Turkish hospital
Abstract
Background:
Cultural competence, an important part of patient-centred care, has been on the nursing agenda for many years.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to measure the intercultural effectiveness level of paediatric nurses, and to explore relationships between the level of intercultural effectiveness and some sociodemographic variables in paediatric nurses.
Method:
The study was conducted at İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital's children's clinics in Turkey. A convenience sample of 98 paediatric registered nurses practising at the hospital was evaluated. To collect the study data, a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, a Cultural Approach in Nursing Care form and the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) were used.
Results:
The participating paediatric nurses' intercultural effectiveness levels were moderate, the problem they experienced most was the language problem and although many of them had not received adequate training in cultural care, based on their experiences, they regarded themselves as culturally competent.
Conclusion:
Cultural competence is vital in multi-ethnic and multicultural societies. Cultural competence training should be provided to nurses during nurse education, or in-service training during their professional life.
Global migration has increased dramatically in this century. During the period from 2000 to 2017, the total number of international migrants increased from 173 to 258 million people, an increase of 85 million (49%) (United Nations, 2017). According to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (2004), by 2020, it is predicted that 44.5% of children aged 0 to 19 years in the USA will be from a racial or ethnic minority group. This rapid change in the demographic structure makes the concepts of ethnicity and culture even more important in health care.
In 2017, Turkey became the largest refugee-hosting country worldwide, with 3.1 million refugees (United Nations, 2017). Turkey hosts families from many different cultural backgrounds. A large number of people migrate to Turkey from Middle Eastern countries.
Although the decision to migrate is taken by parents, children are the ones most affected by the migration decision. Migration leads to serious impoverishment of children. Children may be separated from their parents due to migration, they may not be able to attend school, and they face many risks such as social exclusion, discrimination and even homelessness. Poor living conditions experienced by migrants can affect children's health adversely to varying degrees (UNICEF, 2007).
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