G-3567

2025-10-19 19:07

Written by ARCIMS 26 ARCIMS 26 in Sunday 2025-10-19 19:07

Assessing Critical Cultural Competence Among Nurses at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kerman

 Fahimeh Safizadeh 1 ℗, Zahra Sarkoohi 1, Faeze Abadi 1, Tayebeh Eghbali 1, Iman Sharifikia 1, Jamile Farokhzadian 2 ©   

 Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

 Reproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

 Email: fahimesafizade67@gmail.com
 

 


 
Abstract

Introduction: In today’s increasingly multicultural societies, healthcare professionals encounter clients with diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and expectations. This diversity necessitates a high level of critical cultural competence (CCC) among nurses to ensure care is equitable, respectful, and responsive to the unique needs of each individual. CCC encompasses four interrelated domains: critical awareness, critical knowledge, critical skills, and critical empowerment. These competencies enable nurses to reflect on their own cultural assumptions, acquire relevant intercultural knowledge, and apply skills that promote effective cross-cultural interactions. The present study aimed to assess the level of CCC among nurses employed at Shahid Beheshti Psychiatric Hospital in Kerman, Iran—a clinical setting that presents unique cultural and psychosocial challenges. Methods and Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with the ethical approval code IR.KMU.REC.1401.374. A total of 110 nurses working at Shahid Beheshti Hospital were recruited through a census sampling method. Data was collected using the validated Almutairi Critical Cultural Competence Standard Questionnaire, which measures four primary components: critical awareness, critical knowledge, critical skills, and critical empowerment. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 21 to determine the distribution and trends of CCC among the study participants. Results: The overall mean score of CCC was 4.51 (SD = 0.58), reflecting a moderate level of competence across the nursing cohort. Among the assessed domains, critical knowledge received the highest mean score (M = 4.67), indicating a strong cognitive understanding of cultural issues. Conversely, the lowest mean score was observed in critical empowerment (M = 4.32), highlighting a potential gap in nurses’ confidence and ability to influence culturally competent care practices. The findings suggest that while nurses were relatively proficient in understanding cultural concepts, their application in emotionally charged or advocacy-based settings may be underdeveloped. Conclusion and Discussion: The study underscores the moderate yet uneven distribution of CCC among nurses in a psychiatric hospital context, where cultural sensitivity is particularly critical. Strengthening the emotional and behavioral dimensions, especially empowerment—through structured educational interventions is essential. Incorporating CCC-focused content into in-service training, continuous professional development, and reflective practice frameworks could foster more holistic cultural responsiveness. Enhancing these competencies is likely to improve the quality of intercultural communication, reduce misunderstandings, and ultimately promote patient satisfaction and safety.


Keywords: Critical cultural competence, nurse, mental health, culture, cultural care, empowerment

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