CULTURALLY

COMPETENT NURSING
CARE

By. Ns. WULAN PURNAMA

CLASSIFICATION
1. Organizational cultural competence, with characteristics:
a. A defined set of values and principles and demonstration of
behaviors, attitudes, policies, and structures that enable them to
work effectively cross-culturally.
b. The capacity to value diversity, conduct self assessment, manage
the dynamics of difference, acquire and institutionalize cultural
knowledge, and adapt to diversity and the cultural context of the
communities they serve.
c. Incorporation of the previously mentioned items in all aspects of
policy making, administration, practice, and service delivery, and
systematic involvement of consumers, key stakeholders, and
communities.
CLASSIFICATION
2. Individual cultural competence, refers to a
complex integration of knowledge, attitudes,
beliefs, skills, and encounters with those from
cultures different from one’s own that enhances
cross-cultural communication and appropriate and
effective interactions with others.

(Campinha-Bacote, 2003)
Cultural Self Assessment
 Be aware of your own cultural values, attitudes,
beliefs, and practices.
 Benefit: it will be possible to gain insight into the
health-related values, attitudes, beliefs, and
practices that have been transmitted to you by your
own family. It will enable you to overcome
ethnocentric tendencies and cultural stereotypes.
Cultural Self Assessment
Skills Needed for Cultural Competence
Cross-Cultural Communication
1. Barriers: differences in language, worldview, and
values.
2. Types: oral and written communication, and
nonverbal communication (gestures, body
movements, posture, tone of voice, and facial
expressions).
3. The meaning of silence, eye contact, touch, space
and distance, sex and gender, language,
Use of Interpreters
 To overcome language barriers, we can use
interpreters.
 The National Council for Interpreters in Health
Care (2006) has developed the 1st set of national
standards for medical interpreting professionals in
USA (32 standards) based on 9 issues: accuracy,
confidentiality, impartiality, respect, cultural
awareness, role boundaries, professionalism,
professional development, and advocacy.
Languages Spoken at Home
No. Languages Estimate Number
1 Population 5 years old and older 268,110,961
2 English only 216,176,111
3 Language other than English 51,934,850
4 Speak English less than “very well” 23,142,029
5 Spanish or Spanish Creole 32,184,293
6 Speak English less than “very well” 15,396,674
7 Other Indo-European languages 9,929,004
8 Speak English less than “very well” 3,302,077
9 Asian and Pacific Islander languages 7,769,500
10 Speak English less than “very well” 3,828,819
11 Other languages 2,052,053
12 Speak English less than “very well” 614,459
Conceptual Model of
Transcultural Communication
Cultural Perspectives on Intimacy
Range: very formal interactions – close personal relationships.
 Asian origin: expect you to be authoritarian, directive, and

detached.
 Chinese: expect you to know intuitively what’s wrong with

them.
 Thai culture: high value in awareness and anticipation of

others feelings by kindness and avoiding interpersonal

conflict.
 Appalachian: evaluate your interpersonal skills rather than

professional competencies.
 Hispanic: simpatia and personalismo should be considered.

 Latin America/Mediteranean origin: expect a high degree of

Sick Role Behaviors
 Range: aggressive – demanding behavior – silent
passivity.
 Jewish and Italian groups: awarding attention
during illness.
 Asian and Native North American: quite and
compliant during illness, so receive no attention.
 Asian heritage: provide you with the answers that
they think are expected.