Culturally competent care of women and newborns: knowledge, attitude, and skills.

Full Abstract

In a variety of health care settings throughout the United States and Canada, nurses are caring for women and newborns from culturally diverse backgrounds. In the technologically complex and bureaucratic world of health care delivery, cultural considerations in provision of care often are overlooked and neglected. The purpose of this article is to define ways in which culturally competent nursing care can be implemented. Nursing education and clinical practice guidelines are clear on the importance of gaining cultural competence. Providing culturally competent care includes understanding the dimensions of culture; moving beyond the biophysical to a more holistic approach; and seeking to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and hone clinical skills. Building on the strengths of women rather than utilizing a deficit model of health care is an essential part of providing culturally competent care. The achievement of both measurable and "soft" outcomes related to the delivery of culturally competent care can make a critical difference in the heath and well-being of women and newborns.

Author information

Author/s: Callister, L C (LC);

Affiliation: Brigham Young University College of Nursing, Provo, UT 84602-5544, USA. lynn_callister(-atsign-)byu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN / NAACOG (J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2001 Mar-Apr; vol 30 (issue 2) : pp 209-15

Dates: Created 2001/04/18; Completed 2001/07/19; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 11308111, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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