Greek Nursing Students' Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes Toward Transcultural Care: A Pilot Study

Introduction: During the last decade more and more people are educated on transcultural health care issues. Although there is relevant content in the Greek nursing academic curricula, there is no recent evaluation of its impact. Aim: To modulate and pilot validate a questionnaire in order to evaluate knowledge, competencies, skills and attitudes regarding transcultural care, in Greek nursing students and to assess associated factors affecting them. Method: A descriptive correlational pilot study was conducted from September 2012 to February 2013, with a convenient sample of 66 University Nursing Students, consisted of 57 (3rd and 4th year) undergraduate and 9 postgraduate, attending the “Transcultural Nursing” MSc program. Response rate was 100%. Data were collected via an anonymous questionnaire consisted of a demographic-educational data sheet form and a 50-item questionnaire (5-Likert scale) partially based on the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire, with a total range score 53-265. Translation of the questionnaire from English to Greek language, reverse translation and the assessment of validity by an experts group were performed. Internal consistency reliability analysis (Cronbach’s α), test-retest reliability, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were carried out using SPSS 20.0, (p≤0.05). Results: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.967 for the entire questionnaire. There was a positive correlation between beliefs, skills and attitudes subscales’ scores (0.356≤rho≤0.729, p<0.01). The vast majority (78.8%) of the participants were women, 19.7% had clinical experience with culturally diverse patients. Higher education level (postgraduate), clinical experience, seminars’ attendance and positively estimated lived experiences during clinical placement, with culturally diverse patients, associated independently with higher scores of knowledge, skills and attitudes subscales (p<0.05). Conclusion: Preliminary results seem to support the reliability and validity of the adapted Greek version of the questionnaire. Higher education level and training in transcultural issues, formulate the basis for the culturally competent health care provision to diverse populations.