A study of cross-cultural communication among internationally educated Taiwanese nurses in the United States.

摘要

The diverse patient population and increasing nursing migration in the United States results in a need to improve the quality of cross-cultural, clinical communication (Andrews, 2003; Hancock, 2008; Sherman, 2007). Cross-cultural communication is necessary but challenging for patients and healthcare practitioners alike. The objective of the study was to construct an understanding of the interrelationship between language needs, cultural differences, educational training, and communication of internationally educated Taiwanese nurses.;The research question was, "How do internationally-educated nurses perceive their cross-cultural, clinical communication experiences in the U.S. medical context?" Case study was adopted as the research methodology. The data collection period lasted four months. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit five Taiwanese nursing participants. Primary data collection methods included focus group interviews and individual interviews. Supplementary data consisted of background information surveys, observations, and post-interview reflection journals. The data analysis method was a combination of narrative and thematic analysis.;The findings showed that the use of complex/specialized language and cross-cultural differences in clinical settings complicated the five participants' communication experiences. The findings also indicated gaps in language and culture in these nurses' training in the United States.