Using literature to create cultural competence

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Cultural Competence
• Medical Humanities

Background:

• Cultural competence is crucial for nurses providing care in diverse societies.
• Understanding diverse cultural perspectives is essential for effective patient care.
• Nurses require skills to navigate cultural nuances in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of literature in fostering cultural competence among nurses.
• To demonstrate how literary analysis can enhance cultural understanding in nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing selected excerpts from Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" to illustrate the method.
• Applying Isler's readers' response theory for imaginative engagement and reflective discussion.
• Framing cultural competence as a dynamic process of understanding external cultural assumptions, knowledge, and meanings.

Main Results:

• Literature challenges the misconception of a single, uniform culture.
• Engaging with literature facilitates empathy and understanding of diverse patient experiences.
• Reflective reading promotes deeper insights into health beliefs and practices across cultures.

Conclusions:

• Literature serves as a valuable tool for cultivating cultural competence in nursing.
• Reading diverse narratives enhances nurses' ability to connect with and care for patients from various backgrounds.
• Promoting cultural competence through literature improves the quality of care in multicultural societies.