Investigating intercultural effectiveness of paediatric nurses in a Turkish hospital.

BACKGROUND: Cultural competence, an important part of patient-centred care, has been on the nursing agenda for many years. AIM: The aim of this study was to measure the intercultural effectiveness level of paediatric nurses, and to explore relationships between the level of intercultural effectiveness and some sociodemographic variables in paediatric nurses. METHOD: The study was conducted at Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital's children's clinics in Turkey. A convenience sample of 98 paediatric registered nurses practising at the hospital was evaluated. To collect the study data, a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, a Cultural Approach in Nursing Care form and the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) were used. RESULTS: The participating paediatric nurses' intercultural effectiveness levels were moderate, the problem they experienced most was the language problem and although many of them had not received adequate training in cultural care, based on their experiences, they regarded themselves as culturally competent. CONCLUSION: Cultural competence is vital in multi-ethnic and multicultural societies. Cultural competence training should be provided to nurses during nurse education, or in-service training during their professional life.

Effects of watching cartoons on pain scores in children undergoing venepuncture.

BACKGROUND: Children experience pain and restlessness during invasive procedures. AIM: To determine the effect of watching cartoons on pain scores and the duration of crying in children aged 3-6 years undergoing venepuncture. METHOD: The study included 81 children, aged 3-6 years, who presented to the blood collection unit of a teaching and research hospital. The children were divided into an experimental group (n=41) and a control group (n=40). Those in the experimental group watched a cartoon and then venepuncture was initiated. Their pain levels and the duration of crying were assessed during venepuncture. After venepuncture, they continued to watch the cartoons and their pain levels were assessed again. During the process, another researcher calculated the duration of crying. The children in the control group were subjected to the same process but were not shown the cartoon. RESULTS: Significant differences in pain levels, duration of crying after the procedure and total duration of crying were found between the groups. There was no significant difference in terms of duration of crying during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Watching cartoons is a non-pharmacological method of pain relief, which reduces perception of pain by distracting a child's attention.