College of Nursing and Health Sciences DNP Defense - Leila Barbosa
College of Nursing and Health Sciences DNP Defense - Leila Barbosa
Title: Enhancing Staff Education on Cultural Competency in a Community-Based Setting
Committee:
DNP Project Chair: Dr. Natalie Correia
Second Faculty: Dr. Lauren Hicks
Site Mentor: Dr. Dorcas Adeyemo
Date: 4/15/26
Time: 9:00AM
ZOOM: Please contact dhoffman@umassd.edu for link.
Abstract
Cultural and linguistic diversity in the United States continues to expand, underscoring the need for improved cultural competence among healthcare providers. Despite serving increasingly diverse populations, many community-based healthcare settings lack standardized training in culturally responsive care, which may contribute to communication barriers and persistent health disparities. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in enhancing healthcare staff’s cultural competence knowledge. The project was conducted at a community-based health clinic in New Bedford, Massachusetts, serving a multicultural population. A quantitative pre-post design was utilized with a convenience sample of twelve participants. Cultural competence was measured using the validated Cultural Competence Assessment (CCA) survey administered before and after a 20-minute educational intervention. Data were analyzed using nonparametric testing due to the small sample size. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in cultural competence scores following the intervention (z = -3.06, p = .002). Median scores increased from 103 pre-intervention to 111 post-intervention on the CCA, a validated tool with total scores ranging from 25 to 125, where higher scores indicate greater cultural competence and enhanced knowledge and awareness. Reliability analysis demonstrated excellent internal consistency for the CCA scale (Cronbach’s α = .91). These findings suggest that educational interventions can significantly enhance healthcare staff's cultural competence knowledge. Incorporating ongoing cultural competency training into clinical practice may promote more equitable, patient-centered care and improve outcomes in diverse populations.
Keywords: cultural competency, community health, staff education, CLAS standards, diversity, healthcare disparities
ZOOM
Deanna Hoffman
5089106487
dhoffman@umassd.edu