Correlation Between Intercultural Sensitivity and Collaborative Competencies Amongst Indonesian Healthcare Professionals

A preliminary study has found that being competent in their profession is a part of professional culture. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of collaborative competencies questionnaire and a translated ISS (Intercultural Sensitivity Scale). This study also assessed correlation between collaborative competencies and intercultural sensitivity. Methods This study used a cross-sectional study design and employed a questionnaire derived from a previous qualitative study on components of collaborative competencies. The questionnaire was further modified from literature data. A translated Bahasa Indonesia version of ISS was employed to assess cultural sensitivity when working with different health professionals. Results Of the 464-healthcare professionals in hospital and primary healthcare in Denpasar, invited, 292 responded to the online questionnaire. A response rate of 63.2% from 43 physicians, 103 nurses, 18 dentists, 87 midwives, 41 pharmacy professional was achieved. The ICCQ (Indonesian Collaborative Competencies Questionnaire) was found to be valid and reliable and had three competency themes; role and responsibility, value and ethics; and communication, coordination, and leadership. The translated ISS was also valid and reliable and had three themes defined as interaction engagement, interaction confidence, and interaction attention during collaboration. Healthcare professionals regardless of their workplace and profession had good collaborative competencies. Significant differences were found in the role and responsibility factor. This study also identified significant differences in the engagement theme during collaboration between physicians and nurses, but no significant differences in intercultural sensitivity between healthcare professionals was identified. Conclusion The questionnaires used in the current study were valid and reliable. There was a positive correlation between intercultural sensitivity and collaborative competencies (r = 0.315, p < 0.001) and a strong correlation found in the interaction confidence theme during collaboration with others (r = 0.785, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that healthcare professionals may need to have a structured training on intercultural sensitivity and collaboration early in their education as well as continuously in their practice.