Evidence of validity and factorial invariance of the cultural competence measurement scale (EMCC-14) among students of healthcare sciences in Panama.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The assessment of cultural competence is crucial for preparing health science students in Latin America to provide equitable and culturally responsive care. The Cultural Competence Measurement Scale (EMCC-14), originally developed in Spanish within the region, has shown strong psychometric properties among healthcare professionals; however, its validity has not yet been examined in student populations.

Objective

To analyze the validity, reliability and factorial invariance of the EMCC-14 cultural competence scale in health science students in Panama.

Materials and methods

A convenience sample of 565 students from nursing, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, and dentistry programs completed the EMCC-14 scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The validation

SUBMITTER: Agrazal-Garcia J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659497 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature