Why do nursing staff need a cultural knowledge?

Abstract

Summary. Cultural knowledge forms the basis of cultural competence and intercultural competence of nursing staff. It is especially important in the face of cultural diversity and individuals from a culturally diverse world.

The aim of the study – to present nursing staff's understanding of the term: cultural knowledge and to identify the meanings given to cultural knowledge in the context of cultural and intercultural competence in the professional practice of nursing staff.

Materials and Methods. The research sample was selected purposively. It consisted of nursing personnel (students of the nursing faculty, second-degree studies at Collegium Mazovia Innovative University in Siedlce, Poland). The research falls within the interpretative paradigm. The research methods used were: desk research and qualitative case study. 8 individual online, asynchronous interviews were conducted. A qualitative "meaning-oriented" analysis with coding  and interpretation of meanings was used.

Results. The nursing staff defines the concept of cultural knowledge as: knowledge cultural and religious differences, enabling holistic care of patients; knowledge of the surrounding world, enabling appropriate behaviour towards people from culturally diverse world and tolerance; knowledge of customs, habits of various social groups (nationalities, religions); ability to adapt and function effectively in a culturally diverse environment; development of cultural sensitivity; respect for people; lack of prejudice and stereotypes concerning people from culturally diverse world; spiritual and material achievements of a society. Cultural knowledge, treated as the basis of cultural and intercultural competence, enables: to provide holistic, culturally diverse patient care; respect, tact, openness, appropriate behaviour towards patients from a culturally diverse world (diverse attitudes towards health and illness). It is knowledge that enables the development of empathy, learning, and a broader perspective on people from culturally diverse backgrounds; it eliminates stereotypes and reduces communication barriers; it avoids misunderstandings; it is an intrinsic value and contributes to the awareness of diverse value systems; it enables the understanding of people from culturally diverse backgrounds, reducing uncertainty, frustration, and ethical dilemmas of culturally diverse care.

Conclusions. The presented cases have an autotelic character (cognitive and practical aspect and practical aspects), but they also show a broader context of cultural competence and intercultural competence of nursing staff in culturally diverse care.