Self-reported cultural competence among Czech and Slovakian nurses: A comparative correlation study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Cross-cultural Studies

Background:

• Demographic shifts in Slovakia and the Czech Republic necessitate culturally competent healthcare.
• Limited research exists on nurses' cultural competence in clinical practice within these nations.
• Addressing cultural competence can mitigate challenges in caring for diverse patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the levels of cultural competence among nurses in clinical settings in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
• To identify the impact of cultural diversity training on nurses' cultural competence.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study design was employed, adhering to STROBE guidelines.
• Data were collected using the Cultural Competence Assessment Tool questionnaire from 424 nurses (222 from Slovakia, 202 from the Czech Republic).
• Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SASD 1.5.8 and IBM SPSS Statistics v28.0.0.

Main Results:

• The majority of nurses in both countries reported no prior cultural diversity training.
• Nurses in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic recognize the importance of assessing patients' cultural health impacts.
• Cultural diversity training was found to significantly enhance nurses' cultural competence levels.

Conclusions:

• Lower cultural competence scores among nurses can impede effective care for culturally diverse patients.
• There is a clear need to improve nurses' cultural competence through targeted education and skill development.
• Enhancing nurses' cultural knowledge and skills is crucial for delivering equitable and effective healthcare across different cultural backgrounds.