Sami and Norwegian nurses' perspectives on nursing care of Sami patients: a focus group study on culturally safe nursing

Sami people report less satisfaction with healthcare services than the majority population in Norway, and report that they seldom encounter culturally adapted health services. This study investigates Sami and Norwegian nurses' perspectives on culturally respectful and appropriate caring for Sami patients in northern Norway. Six focus groups were conducted: three with Sami-speaking nurses (n = 13) and three with Norwegian-speaking nurses (n = 10). Data were collected and analysed in line with Thorne's interpretive descriptive methodology. Three overarching themes emerged from the interviews: (i) the importance nurses gave to establishing a connection and building trust with Sami patients; (ii) nurses' perceptions that in comparison to Norwegian patients Sami patients could be less confrontational and direct, but that differences weren't always apparent and (iii) the importance nurses described to understanding the cultural context of their Sami patients. This study showed that Sami and Norwegian nurses working in northern Norway were largely perceptive about and respectful of cultural differences between Sami and Norwegian patients. Some emphasised, though, that Sami patients were diverse and that interpersonal differences were as or more important than cultural differences. Some also felt that more understanding of Sami culture would be helpful for enabling culturally respectful nursing care.