Abstract:

Purpose: This study aims to describe health tourism and transcultural nursing concept from the viewpoint of nurses and to find out how they interpret them. Method: As a mixed study, it was conducted at 6 private hospital with the participation of sixteen nurses. Data were collected with demographic information form, intercultural sensitivity scale and semi-structured interview form. Result: The mean of cultural sensitivity scale score of nurses was 81.39 ± 4.84. Cultural sensitivity levels of nurses were not correlated with gender, marital status, age, education level, professional title and transcultural nursing training background. Only one nurse had transcultural nursing training. Lack of foreign language and cultural knowledge are problems for nurses while caring to foreign patients. Conclusion: Nurses mostly face language and communication difficulties while caring to foreign patients. Also, they need to get information and training about different cultures. Even if nurses play an indispensable and key role in health tourism, they cannot represent themselves sufficiently. Implications for Practice: The professional and personal development of nurses should increase by trainings on ethics, intercultural nursing and geography, especially foreign language. For easy and error free communication between nurse and patient, foreign language education must be integrated nursing education program.

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