Studio sulle cause del conflitto interculturale tra infermieri e utenti con background culturali differenti

Problem: Nursing literature unanimously point out the need for understanding patients’ cultural demands, and avoiding to deliver assistance based on paradigms just built on nurses’ cultural backgrounds. However, only a few studies have described strategies that can help nurses to manage conflicts that may arise within inter-culturally characterized care situations. Objective: To explore cultural conflicts between nurses and clients with different cultural backgrounds, in order to identify their causes and the main factors that facilitate or hinder the positive management of those conflicts. Research design: Qualitative study based on phenomenological-hermeneutic method with a purposive sample of nurses. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses who had experienced conflicts with patients with a different cultural background. Results: Three major themes were identified:  Causes of intercultural conflicts: linguistic incomprehension and different meanings given to lifestyles and caring.  Ineffective management of intercultural conflicts. Reciprocal prejudices, lack of knowledge about patients’ culture and misuse of language seem to hinder the resolution of the cultural conflicts. Misunderstandings or conflicts are often unexpressed or restrained, but they are rarely managed; often conflicts are solved by giving up by one of the protagonists.  Effective management of intercultural conflicts. Mutual openness to the other, transparent and accountable use of linguistic and cultural mediation, a good ability to manage emotions and desire to find a common solution are considered the right way for effective management of cultural conflicts. These outcomes are perceived as positive by all the parties involved, and create a positive environment, open to innovative solutions. Conclusions: Cultural conflicts are probably more frequent than it has been documented, and their outcomes are difficult to measure. The first cause of conflict is the lack of elaboration of cultural differences. Nurses need intercultural competence to handle such situations.