Application of Theoretical Concepts of Nursing Anthropology and Transcultural Nursing in Improving The Performance of Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (IPCN) in Hospitals

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a fundamental component in ensuring patient safety within hospital environments. The performance of Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (IPCN) significantly determines the success of IPC programs, yet it often faces complex challenges related to staff adherence, frequently rooted in internal organizational cultural aspects. This study aims to cognitively explore how theoretical concepts of nursing anthropology and transcultural nursing can be integrated to enhance IPCN performance, particularly in addressing cultural barriers affecting IPC practice compliance in healthcare facilities. The method used was a conceptual literature review enriched with cognitive exploration based on field studies based on reflection on the author’s personal experience and observation in the hospital environment. Core concepts such as cultural competence, culturally congruent practice, and cultural context, along with transcultural nursing care models and the analogy of family theory serve as the primary analytical framework. The study’s exploration reveals that a comprehensive understanding of healthcare staff’s values, beliefs, and cultural practices is essential for designing effective and culturally sensitive interventions to improve IPCN performance. Further discussion describing the design of the application of theoretical concepts of nursing anthropology and transcultural nursing for IPCN performance improvement was explained through the adaptation of the Five-step problem solving process in Transcultural Interprofessional Practice Model (assessment, mutual goal setting, planning, implementation, evaluation) as a guide for IPCN. The conclusion recommends a transcultural approach as a transformative strategy for IPCN include the development of cultural competence, advocacy for supportive policies, and the necessity for further empirical research to test the effectiveness of this model.