Concept Analysis of Cultural Sensitivity in Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to determine the concept of “cultural sensitivity in healthcare professionals” and examine the applicability of this concept in Japan.

Methods: Rodgers’ approach was used for concept analysis. A total of 48 articles of literature (44 in English, 4 in Japanese) published by 2017 were included in the analysis.

Results: Five attributes ([Willingness to actively understand the people], [Awareness of differences from own culture], [Knowledge of culture], [Cultural understanding], and [Respect of culture]) and four antecedents, and six consequences including those of healthcare professionals and people were extracted.

Conclusions: The concept of “cultural sensitivity in healthcare professionals” was defined as emotional and cognitive ability to face cultural differences with attitude of respect, based on willingness to actively understand the people by being aware of differences from the culture of healthcare professional’s country and obtaining knowledge of the culture to understand the people and the culture of the people’s country. In Japan, where globalization is accelerating, this concept is considered useful for developing an educational program and evaluation of healthcare professionals.