Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the studies conducted between 2016 and 2022 on the problems experienced by nurses living in Turkey while caring for immigrant patients and to systematically analyze the data obtained. Methods: Forty-five national and international publications on the subject were screened, and studies that did not include only nurses and were not conducted between 2016-2022 were not included in the review. According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 8 publications were included in the review. A literature search was made from the databases "Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, Dergipark, Academia, Cohrane Library" for studies on nurses working in Turkey and caring for immigrant patients.All publications were systematized and examined in terms of study methods and findings. Results: The studies consisted of quantitative and qualitative studies and the sample consisted of max. 339 and min. 10 nurses. In the studies focused on the category of "language and communication barriers", it was reported that nurses increased their workload of patients with language and communication barriers and their burnout levels were high. In the studies focused on the category of "cultural differences", it was reported that nurses could not cooperate in treatment and care due to cultural differences and the effect of cultural sensitivity levels on immigrant patient care. In studies in the category of "differences in perception and expectation of care", it was reported that patients did not want personal care practices and became aggressive when they saw practices different from those in their own countries. Conclusion: As a result of the studies reviewed, it was reported that "language and communication barrier" was the most common problem while caring for immigrant patients, and for this reason, mistrust was experienced between patients and nurses during the care process. At this point, it may be recommended that language training of nurses should be emphasized and interpreters who have a good command of medical literature should be employed in hospitals. In terms of "cultural differences" and "differences in perception and expectation of care", which are other problems faced by nurses, giving importance to intercultural sensitivity in nursing education, organizing trainings on intercultural differences in hospitals where immigrant patients are concentrated will be useful in preventing nurses from experiencing burnout in the care process and gaining self-confidence in nurses.

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