WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Yvonne Y. C. Yu Wu, DNP, MSN, Pamela Lusk, DNP, RN and Sing-yung Wu, M.D., Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a cultural competency education intervention in caring for Chinese elderly patients and their families. Methods: Nurse practitioners (N = 23) participated in an educational program which included a PowerPoint presentation consists of three components: Overview of Chinese culture and the concept of filial piety, culturally appropriate elderly care, and how to care for and support patients and their families with nursing home placement. The Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) was modified to measure change in knowledge and skills about Chinese culture. Results: Paired sample t tests indicated that Chinese cultural self-efficacy scores significantly improved knowledge [Before: (Mean + 1 SD) 3.5 + 0.75; After: 4.4+ 0.56, p < 0.001] and skills [Before 3.8+ 0.73; After 4.3 + 0.69, p < 0.01). All of the participants (100%) responded that they would recommend the program to a coworker, and the majority of them (77%) reported that they used the education to serve Chinese-American patients and families in the first two weeks following the intervention. Conclusion: This study verified that nurse practitioners needed and valued education on cultural competency that addressed both knowledge and skills. The investment of stakeholders in education was returned by the immediate implementation of knowledge and skills designed to improve client satisfaction and address the health needs of elderly patients.