Comparison of Perceived Nurses' Cultural Competence of Nurses and Foreign Patients

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the differences in Korean nurses`` cultural competence perceived bynurses and foreign patients in a general hospital. Methods: The study participants were recruited fromoutpatient clinics and wards in H General Hospital located in Busan. Cultural competence was measured by the Cultural Competence Scale for Korean Nurses, consisting of 4 subscales: cultural perception, culturalknowledge, cultural sensitivity, and cultural skills. Data were collected from March 31 to April 30, 2014 bydistributing and collecting a self-administrated questionnaire set. Data of the 90 foreign patients and 90 nurseswere analyzed using PASW statistics 18.0 for independent t-test and ANOVA. Results: The level of culturalcompetence of Korean nurses perceived by foreign patients was significantly higher than that of nurses. On thecultural awareness dimension, nurses rated themselves more highly than foreign patients did while ratings onthe dimensions of cultural knowledge and cultural skill were the opposite. Conclusion: This study indicates thatthere was a statistically significant difference in the perception of nurses`` cultural competence between nursesand foreign patients. The findings can be used for developing education programs to enhance nurses`` culturalcompetence, integrating the perspectives of foreign patients.ope