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Background & Aim: Clinical competence is the ability to perform professional tasks and coordinate cognitive, communication and psycho-motion skills in patient care, and empathy is one of the factors influencing clinical competence. Given the role of clinical competence in the quality of midwifery care, this study aimed to determine the effect of empathy skill training on clinical competence in midwifery students.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 73 midwifery students and 438 pregnant women in 2015. A clinical competence questionnaire was used to assess the clinical competence of the students, which was completed in two ways by self-assessment and researcher assessment (after reviewing the student's performance for 3 times). Data were analyzed by chi-square test, independent t-test and paired t-test using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean score of clinical competence in the ways of self-assessment and assessment by the researcher before the intervention (P>0.05). Results from the post-intervention showed that there was significant difference between the two groups. However, the clinical competence score by the researcher assessment in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). Also, the difference in the mean scores of the self-assessment of clinical competence before and after the intervention between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05), but the difference in the mean scores of the researcher assessment of clinical competence before and after the intervention between the two groups was significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Empathy skill training is an effective way to increase the clinical competence of students.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT 2016051127855N1
 

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Background & Aim: Cultural competence is one of the main components of health care. Attention to cultural competence is essential to reduce healthcare inequalities and identify potential for improving healthcare delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate cultural competence and its related factors in health care providers working in comprehensive health centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 250 health care providers working in health centers affiliated with TUMS were selected using the convenience sampling method in 2020. The demographic characteristics form and the cultural competence scale for health workers (CCSN) were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests (t-test and ANOVA) through the SPSS software version 16 at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean total score of cultural competence in health care providers was 162.66±28.41 (range: 33-231). According to the findings, the mean score of cultural competence for all dimensions was desirable. The mean score of cultural competence had a statistically significant relationship with intra-ethnic marriage (P>0.005) and work experience (P=0.012) while no statistically significant difference was observed with other demographic variables.
Conclusion: The study results showed that cultural competence in health care providers was at the desirable level. These results may be useful for managers and planners in the development and management of human resources and quality assurance of health services delivery.

 

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Background & Aim: Modern professional nursing necessitates the use of information technology to facilitate clinical decision-making and obtain optimal patient care outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a psychometric evaluation and adapt the Nursing Informatics Competency Self-Assessment tool for use in Iran.
Methods & Materials: The present research employed a descriptive and methodological design. Initially, the original tool was translated into Persian following a standardized procedure. Subsequent assessments of face and content validity were conducted through expert reviews and the calculation of the content validity index. Reliability was evaluated using both Cronbach's alpha and test-retest methods, including the calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient. Data analysis was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis on a convenience sample of 300 nursing students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Abadan University of Medical Sciences, utilizing SPSS version 22 and LISREL version 8.8.
Results: The content validity index for all items exceeded the standard threshold of 0.79, indicating satisfactory validity scores for each item. The final version of the tool demonstrated acceptable reliability with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.898 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.893. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the fitness of a five-factor structure for the Persian version of the tool. Standardized factor loadings showed a good fit and satisfactory construct validity for the tool within the Iranian context.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the Nursing Informatics Competency Self-Assessment Tool exhibits acceptable psychometric properties within the Iranian nursing population and is recommended for use as a credible instrument in nursing practice.