Kulturell kompetanse i hjemmetjenesten

Abstract

Introduction:The increase in the number of non-ethnic Norwegian patients in home care has led to the need for cultural competence in the home nurse. Lack of cultural competence in the home nurse can and has created challenges such as discrimination, poor health service and communication with these patients. The purpose of this study is toexamine the cultural competenceof home nurses in district in South Norway.The researchquestion: What cultural competence do home nurses have when tending to patients of minority ethnicities?Methods:Descriptive cross-section study was carried out on the present study. For data collection, a questionnaire with five subdimensionswith scale rating was used to map the cultural competence of home nurses. The sample size was 66(32%), consisting of both male and female home nurses aged from 21 or older. The total sum score was taken for all subdimensions, Cronbach –α tested was performed, significance level was set to p< 0.05.Results:The results showed that home nurses had high average score on cultural awareness and sensitivity,cultural behaviorand on self-assessment. Sum score of terms for the dimension of person-centered communication and practice orientation were somewhat lower. Alpha coefficient for cultural awareness and sensitivity was. 636, cultural behavior. 760, person-centered communication. 720, practice orientation. 330, self-assessment. 825. Conclusion:The nurses have good awareness and sensitivity, cultural behavior and self-assessment, while it was foundlower average scorefor dimension in person-centered care and communication.The questionnaire needs further examinationin Norwegian context. Key words: Cultural competence, home nurse, minority patients, questionnaire.