Effect of the Diverse Standardized Patient Simulation (DSPS) Cultural Competence Education Strategy on Nursing Students’ Transcultural Self-Efficacy Perceptions

Introduction: Standardized patient simulation can be an effective strategy to foster cultural competence education. Methodology: Guided by the Cultural Competence and Confidence Model, this grant-funded, longitudinal, one-group, pretest and posttest study used the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET) to examine the effect of the Diverse Standardized Patient Simulation (DSPS) cultural competence education strategy on students’ (n = 53) transcultural self-efficacy. Developed by following recommended guidelines and standards, the DSPS had content validity review. It aimed to improve students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes with regard to providing culturally competent nursing care. The statistical methods included t-tests, McNemar’s test, correlation analyses, and Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: The DSPS influenced statistically significant changes (increase) in students’ transcultural self-efficacy perceptions (p <.05). All students regardless of background benefited from formalized cultural competence education. Discussion: Evidence-based strategies such as the DSPS can offer a valuable guide for educators to foster cultural competence education.