Page 291 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education

The Use of Simulations for the

Development of Cultural Competencies
in Nursing Education: An Integrative
Review of the Literature

Igor Karnjuš Sabina Ličen
University of Primorska, Slovenia University of Primorska, Slovenia
igor.karnjus@fvz.upr.si sabina.licen@fvz.upr.si

Mirko Prosen
University of Primorska, Slovenia
mirko.prosen@fvz.upr.si

Simulation-based learning is a creative teaching method that provides a plat-
form for the integration of cultural concepts and promotes interactive encoun-
ters that can be further analysed and developed. The aim of this integrative
review was to determine the validity and effectiveness of simulation as a teach-
ing and learning method for the acquisition of cultural competence in nursing
students. The CINAHL, PubMed and Science Direct databases were searched
for articles, which resulted in 17 papers being included in the review. Results
revealed that the standardized patient is most commonly used in simulation
scenarios for the development of cultural competencies. The most common-
ly defined objective was to increase knowledge of cultural competences, and
learning elements within the cognitive and affective domains were best de-
veloped. Our findings support the continued use and development of simula-
tion for educational purposes to improve the cultural competence of nursing
students.
Keywords: cultural competencies, nursing, simulations, transcultural nursing

© 5 Igor Karnjuš, Mirko Prosen, and Sabina Ličen
https://doi.org/1.6493/978-961-93-467-5.16

Introduction
Since 15, Europe has been facing a migration crisis and an increasing num-
ber of asylum seekers (Eurostat, ). Although immigrants are entitled to
equal healthcare, they often encounter barriers in communication and in
obtaining adequate information about their rights due to different cultural
characteristics. The staff providing care may not be ‘diversity-sensitive’ and
are often inadequately educated about the characteristics of other cultures
(Permanand et al., 16). Because people are associated with their respec-

Klančar, A., Štemberger, T., Prosen, M., & Ličen, S. (Eds.). (2025). International Perspectives
on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education. University of Primorska Press.