Developing and validating a cross-cultural competence scale for Japanese nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare
• Cultural Competence

Background:

• Japan faces a rising number of international patients due to increased foreign students and workers.
• This demographic shift necessitates Japanese nurses with both clinical proficiency and cultural attunement.
• Existing frameworks may not adequately address the unique cross-cultural care needs in Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable and valid scale for assessing cross-cultural competence among Japanese nurses.
• To provide a tool for identifying specific areas of skill development for nurses caring for diverse patient populations.
• To enhance the quality of cross-cultural nursing care in Japan.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 394 nurses and midwives in Japanese general hospitals.
• Development and validation of the Cross-cultural Competence Scale for Japanese Nurses (CCCSJN) using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis, criterion-related validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.94), and test-retest reliability (r=0.77).

Main Results:

• The CCCSJN scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity.
• Exploratory factor analysis identified five key factors: cross-cultural understanding, communication ability, motivation, interprofessional cooperation, and respect for foreign patients.
• These factors accounted for 50.92% of the total variance, confirming the scale's robust construct.

Conclusions:

• The validated CCCSJN is a reliable instrument for assessing Japanese nurses' cross-cultural competencies.
• The scale can guide targeted training to improve nurses' skills in cross-cultural patient care.
• Implementation of the CCCSJN can lead to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction for international patients in Japan.