Intervention classifications for nursing practice and the ICNP: cultural considerations for Korean nurses

There are several intervention classifications for nursing practice. Yet, their relevancy and clarity for international use has not been evaluated. Thus, the paper presents a review of 4 major nursing intervention classifications (Saba's Home Health Care Classifications, Omaha's Intervention Scheme, Grobe's Nursing Intervention Lexicon & Taxonomy, and the International Classification for Nursing Practice) for Korean nursing practice. A simple comparison procedure utilized to determine the relevancy and clarity of each overall scheme and specific elements. The findings showed that general concepts for the top level of all the classifications were both relevant and clear. However, specific elements of lower levels became less clear and relevant because of the lack of definitions and cultural differences. In particular, interventions related to psycho-social and environmental components appeared to be either unclear or non-relevant for Korean nursing practice while interventions related to physiological components were found to be very relevant and clear. In conclusion, multiple levels of hierarchical intervention schemes and the absence of definitions impede clarity of intervention classifications. In addition, for international use, an intervention classification needs to be sensitive to cultural relevancy in its elements.