Cultural Competence: Ray’s Theory of Transcultural Caring Dynamics in Nursing and Health Care to Guide Reflective Analysis for Self-Awareness

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this article is to present the theoretical model with a description of Ray’s Theory of Transcultural Caring Dynamics in Nursing and Health Care with supporting transcultural nursing phenomena and global health care data. Methods: The theory was developed from knowledge of nursing, transcultural nursing, complexity science, and cultural anthropology. Results: The theory and model are significant resources to address contemporary issues of culture, human-environment integrality, cultural diversity, migration patterns in the global community, minority health, the social determinants of health, and the need for increasing cultural awareness, communitarian ethics, reflective analysis, and competency of health care professionals in the delivery of competent cultural health care for improved health, healing, and a peaceful death. The paper points out that the central emphasis of the theory and model, essence of caring, transcultural ethics, transcultural context, and universal sources (spirituality) highlight the opportunity for transcultural awareness, seeking understanding and cultural choice. This multidimensional aspect of the model illuminates both patient’s/family’s and provider’s cultures and values, and the environment, and acknowledges the criticality through reflection of the cultural impact on mutual choices for health care outcomes and quality of life.