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“Seeking the Truth” and cultural competence development


I believe in the theory of constructivism. I use this in my approach to research, work and more generally, everyday life. In a general sense, a constructivist approach will reject the notion of a single truth. For example, in my world, there can be many truths to a single experience and these experiences construct/create new knowledge/learning/understanding. I don’t believe there is a single truth to most problems or questions. There are multiple ways of viewing aspects of life depending on our own person experiences, culture, beliefd, families and traditions. These aspects shape how we see and interpret the world. Truth for me may be different for you...... or it could be different yet the same themes/conclusions emerge. There is lots of “grey” in my world. Some would describe it as “fluffy stuff”. Some groups/people believe that problems will have one answer, for example a mathematician, perhaps a chemist or quantitative scientist. In many ways I admire these people…I think (a lot) and sometimes I think too much (just ask my husband!).

Now the truth can be simple or complex e.g. interpreting a simple conversation versus interpreting reasons for food shortages in a developed world. Regardless, truth is something we can are naturally driven to seek. However, truth can be uncomfortable. It can challenge us and at times we are not ready to face the challenge. Or other times it can be fun….consider a crime novel or who did it show?

Sometimes we don’t know how our truths were formed, they simply emerge from deep within our souls. These truths are often influenced by our upbringing, childhood, environment or beliefs. Other truths are formed quickly through experiences. Sometimes we don’t even realise that our truth may be different to the truth of the person sitting beside us. Generally, our lived experiences and beliefs form many of our truths. In many ways, these are the sneaky little truths that emerge and confront us through conversations, learning or experiences. These are the truths that make us look deep within and question our sense of being. I have been fortunate to study this type of truth in relation to cultural competence. What was interesting in my exploration of how truths about cultural competence development are formed, was the realisation that when we “explore” our truth we do this in a systematic way. BUT before we explore a topic we need to be interested in the topic e.g. I am really interest in COVID 19….this then triggers me to explore how my thoughts/knowledge/understanding (these form my truth) have emerged about COVID 19.

So once we are interested, we then start to consider how we have previously been informed by the topic. For example, it may be that we have been “told something”, “read something”, “heard something” that we base our truth on. We then need to consciously and deliberately locate information about the topic. For example, we have all heard about COVID19....maybe through the radio, mainstream media or social media sites........when then decide to go and do some research via the World Health Organisation (WHO) webpage. This information (eg from the WHO) forms our new knowledge/understanding/thoughts.

The third step involves us deciding what do with the new information. Of course, this depends on whether the new information validate or conflicts with our preliminary understanding. Regardless, we will make a decision to accept or decline the new information.

Finally, we then decide how the new (or old information) will inform our belief/thoughts/understandings. This truth then informs our view on the world. Pretty cool hey!

Some of you may recognise that this aligns closely with some of the steps in evidenced based practise. However, the steps I have described are often applied to what we see, read, hear or know about culture. Most likely we applied these steps a few times a week to unearth our truth about a topic and this is part of our journey in cultural competence. In fact, it forms a major step in how we prepare ourselves to challenge, expand or change our worldview.


In my teaching and learning experiences with nursing students in the area of cultural competence, I often would hear students challenge themselves about their previously held truths. The truths often become a deep sense of shame for nursing students e.g. “I cannot believe that is what I thought was true”. Letting go of the shame was important in accepting their truths and forming a new worldview. And my hunch is that this has something to do with personal attributes or values……but let’s ponder that over the next few weeks.


As we embark on challenging times ahead, our truths may change, grow or be challenged. I am going to make a pledge to “lean in” to these feelings with interest…….Because our sense of curiosity triggers our exploration of truth and this is important.


Stay well and stay kind my friends xx




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