A review of theoretical models and measurement tools for intercultural competency of healthcare professionals

doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20251107-01428

Abstract

Abstract: With the acceleration of globalization and the increasing frequency of China′s international medical exchanges, enhancing the cross-cultural competence of medical and health personnel has become an important issue in medical education and practice. However, there is still a lack of localized measurement tools for the cultivation and evaluation of cross-cultural competence in the current medical education system in China. Therefore, exploring the theoretical model and international mainstream measurement tools of cross-cultural competence of medical and health personnel is of great significance for developing a localized evaluation system that fits the multi-ethnic and foreign-related diagnosis and treatment scenarios in China. This study reviewed six databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Embase, from 2000 to 2024, incorporating 15 studies. With an analytic focus on five international classic scales, namely the Behavior Assessment Scale for Intercultural Competence (BASIC), the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), Intercultural Competence Questionnaire (ICQ), the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence (IAPCC) for healthcare personnel, this study found that the theory of cross-cultural competence in healthcare has evolved into a multidimensional integrated system encompassing cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions. Internationally, mainstream measurement tools such as the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Intercultural Competence (BASIC), the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), and the Intercultural Competence Questionnaire (ICQ) have been developed primarily within Western cultural contexts, resulting in limited applicability for healthcare professionals in developing countries. This paper proposes constructing a localized comprehensive evaluation framework tailored to China′s medical context by leveraging the strengths of international scales. while establishing multi-context comparative analyses to advance medical education and improve healthcare service quality.

Key words: Review, Intercultural competence, Healthcare professionals, Measurement instruments, Cultural adaptation

CLC Number:

Mi Ke, Yin Hui. A review of theoretical models and measurement tools for intercultural competency of healthcare professionals[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Education, 2026, 46(9): 665-671, DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20251107-01428.

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