Intercultural Sensitivity and its Relation to Professional Interaction among the Nurses Working in Tabriz Medical Education Institutes in 2014

Abstract

Abstract : Background and purpose: Nursing is a profession in which roleplaying is formed through communication and interaction. This means that proper implementation of nursing interventions requires nurses’ appropriate and proper communication with colleagues and patients, for proper communication is not only the patient’s important requirement but it is also considered the fundamentals of nursing profession in patient care. In the field of medical sciences, the issue of cultural sensitivity is of great importance. Because on the one hand, interactions and communications as well as empowering medical staff, especially nurses, and making them sensitive to culture is regarded an important issue, and this not only provides nurses the groundwork for acquiring constructive experiences but also is effective in their performance and interactions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the status of intercultural sensitivity among nurses and its relationship with their level of interaction in the workplace. Materials and methods: The present correlational descriptive study was conducted with the participation of nurses in teaching hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Stratified random sampling method was implemented. Data were collected via a 3-part tool consisting of demographic data, Workforce Diversity Questionnaire (WDQ-II), and Multicultural Sensitivity Scale (MSS). Content validity (experts and specialists’ comments) and test-retest were used to assess its validity and reliability, respectively. Data analysis was performed with SPSS statistical software version 13. Findings: Research findings indicate that intercultural sensitivity among nurses was moderate to low, and the professional interaction among the employees was high. Results of Pearson correlation coefficient implied that there was a significant negative correlation between the two variables of intercultural sensitivity and professional interaction among the nurses (p>0.001, r= -0.41). Conclusion: Based on our findings, in order to reduce intercultural sensitivity, it is essential that infrastructure should be established so individuals get to know one another better, exchange information and have knowledge of different cultures in the region. Therefore, it seems logical that ways to improve the interaction in the treatment team, particularly among nurses should be taken into consideration, as it is one of the effective causes on the safety and patient care.