Nurse Cultural Competence and Patient-Centered Care in a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Cultural competence is increasingly recognized as essential in nursing to ensure patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings. This study examines the relationship between cultural competence and perceptions of patient-centered care among nurses in a Saudi tertiary hospital, where expatriates constitute 80% of the nursing workforce.

A descriptive correlational study examined nurses' cultural competency and patient-centered care perspectives. 166 nurses were assessed using the NCCS, which measures nurses' cultural competence towards culturally diverse patients, and the ICS-Nurse, which measures nurses’ perceptions of individualized care. Cultural competency was correlated with patient-centered care scores using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Findings revealed that nurses exhibited moderate levels of cultural competence (mean = 2.85, SD = 1.09) and high perception on patient-centered care: (mean=3.96, SD=0.86). Also, the study revealed a weak positive correlation between cultural competence and patient-centered care (r = 0.1285, p = 0.098954). The cultural competence of nurses (x2=64.750, p=<0.001) and views on patient-centered care (x2= 69.935, p=<0.001) are influenced by their nationality. However, sex, educational attainment, and years of expertise did not have significant relationship with the nurses’ cultural competence and perceptions on patient-centered care.

The results underscore the necessity for ongoing training programs focusing on cultural competence and effective communication to enhance care quality. This suggests that although nurses with greater cultural competency may have a slightly positive opinion of patient-centered care, these opinions may be influence by other factors.

The study suggests more research to better understand and improve nursing practice's integration of cultural competency into patient-centered care. Future research should also aim in determining proactive strategies, including education and policy reform, which are vital for fostering an inclusive healthcare environment.