Incorporating multiculturalism into oncology nursing research: the last decade

To use the Oncology Nursing Society's cultural competence guidelines to review research studies conducted by oncology nurse researchers with racial and ethnic minorities and published in the Oncology Nursing Forum during 1990-2000.

Using selected key words (e.g., cultural competence, cultural diversity, multiculturalism, minorities, African American/Black American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American/Alaskan Natives) the authors identified 27 studies that met the inclusion criteria for review. Case studies, sponsored lectureships, review articles, commentaries, editorials, and the like were excluded.

Within the context of the cultural competence guidelines, the primary strengths included sufficient background information and literature to establish the existence of the problem in the targeted culture, use of conceptual and theoretical frameworks to guide the study, identification of salient study limitations, and recommendations for dissemination of the findings to a general audience. Limitations included discussion of culture beyond the background and literature review, consideration of potential ethical concerns the target population may have about the methods to be used, inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities in the design and implementation of the study, and implications for oncology nursing education.

Although much has been gleaned from previous oncology nursing research published from 1990-2000, more fully incorporated content related to cultural competence is needed. This is needed particularly in studies specifically targeting racial and ethnic minority populations.

Including cultural competence when designing and reporting research has a greater potential to inform oncology nursing practice, design future research studies, strengthen existing nursing curricula, and help to shape health policy related to racial and ethnic minority populations. The Oncology Nursing Society Multicultural Outcomes: Guidelines for Cultural Competence provides guidance for enhancing the next generation of oncology nursing research with ethnically and culturally diverse populations.