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Healthcare
Special Issues
Advancing Cultural Competence in Health Care
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Advancing Cultural Competence in Health Care

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 673

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zohra S. Lassi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Interests: global health; maternal and child health; adolescent health; migrants and refugees
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mehwish Nisar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: healthcare access; international public health; long-term health conditions; health and wellbeing of migrant populations; physical activity; health promotion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Health disparities remain a significant challenge globally, often exacerbated by cultural and linguistic barriers between diverse patient populations and healthcare providers. Achieving health equity necessitates a robust commitment to cultural competence.

This Special Issue will explore the evolving landscape of cultural competence, encompassing concepts such as cultural responsiveness within healthcare systems. We invite empirical research, systematic reviews, case studies, and theoretical papers that investigate innovative educational interventions for health professionals, effective organizational strategies for implementing culturally responsive care, the measurable impact of cultural competence on patient safety, satisfaction, and health outcomes, and challenges in implementation and evaluation. Contributions examining intersectionality, addressing the specific needs of vulnerable or marginalized groups, and leveraging technology to bridge cultural divides are particularly encouraged. This Special Issue will provide actionable insights and evidence-based practices to guide clinicians, educators, administrators, and policymakers in fostering truly equitable and patient-centered healthcare environments.

Dr. Zohra S. Lassi
Guest Editor

Dr. Mehwish Nisar
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diversity and inclusion in healthcare
  • culturally responsive care
  • cross-cultural training
  • health equity and disparities
  • culturally tailored interventions
  • health workforce diversity
  • patient-centered care
  • social determinants of health
  • migrant and refugee health
  • patient–provider communication
  • health literacy and culture
  • linguistic diversity

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
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  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 948 KB  
Article
Cultural Competence and Ethics Among Nurses in Primary Healthcare: Exploring Their Interrelationship and Implications for Care Delivery
by Lampros Theodosopoulos, Evangelos C. Fradelos, Aspasia Panagiotou and Foteini Tzavella
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2117; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172117 - 26 Aug 2025
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cultural diversity in healthcare settings is rapidly increasing, posing complex ethical and communication challenges for nurses. Competence in navigating cultural differences, alongside ethical sensitivity, is essential to delivering patient-centered care. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ cultural competence—measured [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cultural diversity in healthcare settings is rapidly increasing, posing complex ethical and communication challenges for nurses. Competence in navigating cultural differences, alongside ethical sensitivity, is essential to delivering patient-centered care. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ cultural competence—measured as transcultural self-efficacy—and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning healthcare ethics in primary care settings in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 492 nurses using validated Greek versions of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET–Gr) and the Nurses’ Ethics Questionnaire (NEQ–Gr). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess correlations and predictive relationships between demographic variables, cultural self-efficacy subscales, and ethical constructs. Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate to high levels of cultural self-efficacy and ethical sensitivity. Affective self-efficacy was the highest-rated subscale and showed strong positive associations with ethical knowledge (r = 0.27, p < 0.001) and ethical attitudes (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that higher educational attainment significantly predicted both practical (b = 0.12, p = 0.045) and affective self-efficacy (b = 0.15, p = 0.002), as well as better ethical knowledge and attitudes. Notably, more years of experience were associated with lower self-perceived cultural competence. Nurses working in multicultural regions reported more favorable ethical orientations. Conclusions: Cultural competence, particularly emotional readiness to engage with cultural diversity, is a significant predictor of ethical awareness and behavior in nursing practice. Investment in continuous professional development, education, and supportive work environments is essential for cultivating both ethical sensitivity and culturally responsive care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Cultural Competence in Health Care)
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18 pages, 254 KB  
Article
Migratory Experience as a Factor of Vulnerability: Navigating Loss, Gratitude, and Meaning
by María José Cáceres-Titos, E. Begoña García-Navarro and Mayckel da Silva Barreto
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172109 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Involuntary migration exposes individuals to multiple losses and ruptures that profoundly affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to explore the vital losses experienced by Latin American women seeking international protection, identifying key dimensions of these losses and the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Involuntary migration exposes individuals to multiple losses and ruptures that profoundly affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to explore the vital losses experienced by Latin American women seeking international protection, identifying key dimensions of these losses and the coping strategies they employ to support their health and well-being. Methods: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, with 17 international migrant women comprising the study subjects. Data were analysed using an inductive approach and interpretative phenomenological analysis, facilitated by Atlas.ti 23.0 software. The COREQ criteria were followed. Results: The analysis revealed two central themes: the multiplicity of losses associated with migration, including loss of identity, emotional deterioration, disruption of family and community ties, economic instability, and loss of sense of belonging; and hidden gains, encompassing processes of gratitude, spiritual strength, and personal transformation. Conclusions: The findings highlight the complexity of both the losses and the hidden gains associated with the migration experience, underscoring the need for compassionate and culturally competent healthcare. This study provides relevant evidence to improve professional support strategies for refugee women from a comprehensive and humanised perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Cultural Competence in Health Care)
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