Cultural attitudes, knowledge, and skills of a health workforce

J Transcult Nurs. 2004 Oct;15(4):283-90. doi: 10.1177/1043659604268966.

Abstract

This study describes cultural attitudes, knowledge, and skill of 409 health care workers using the Ethnic Attitude Scale, the Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale, and a demographic inventory. Findings suggest cultural knowledge and educational preparation of the health worker may influence cultural skills. Workers that were most confident in their cultural skills in working with other cultural groups were more confident in knowledge of cultural concepts and had higher education levels. The results also suggest gaps in workers' knowledge of other cultures and how to care for them in culturally sensitive ways. Educational interventions may enhance workers' knowledge. Whether such enhanced knowledge yields improved patient care outcomes remains to be answered.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Black or African American / education
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cultural Diversity*
  • Educational Status
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel* / education
  • Health Personnel* / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino / education
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Self Efficacy
  • Southwestern United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transcultural Nursing / education
  • Urban Health
  • White People / education
  • White People / psychology