The effect of the communication skills training on the sensitivity and cultural competence of the nurses in the pediatric wards: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the communicative training skills on the sensitivity and cultural competence of the nurses in the pediatric wards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants included 54 nurses from the pediatric ward of Namazi Hospital affiliated with REDACTED. The sample members entered the study through voluntary registration in the in-service training system. RESULTS: The results showed that cultural sensitivity score was 44.22±11.78 before the intervention, 48.51±13.34 immediately after the intervention, and 55.55±20.20 one month after the intervention. Cultural sensitivity score significantly increased immediately and one month after communication skills training for nurses compared to before the intervention (P < 0.001). The results also showed that cultural competency score was 51.68±9.43 before the intervention and increased significantly immediately after the communication skills training and one month after the intervention (57.64±10.43 and 62.56±11.53, respectively), showing significant improvement (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The communication skills training promoted the nurses' cultural sensitivity and competence in childcare wards. Therefore, the implementation of the theoretical and practical methods of teaching communication skills is suggested to improve nurses' cultural competence and consequently, improve childcare quality in different cultures.