När kommunikationen brister
sjuksköterskans kommunikation med icke svensktalande patienter
Background: Pervious research indicates that communication between patient and nurse has shortcomings. For the nurse, difficulties in care giving may emerge when the nurse and patient cannot understand each other. Research also shows that patients? participation in their care become more difficult by lack of communication. The care giving of patients who speak a different language is seen as a challenge by the nurse. Shortages in knowledge among nurses how to mediate communication to patients who do not speak Swedish. Aim: To illuminate Swedish nurses communicating with non-Swedish speaking patients at a Swedish ward. Method: Empirical study with qualitative approach, five individual interviews with nurses have been carried out and analysed according to a qualitative content analysis. Result: The nurses experienced immense difficulties in care giving of non-Swedish speaking patients when the communication did not function. Deficiencies were almost impossible to avoid when giving care, which created frustration and despair. Interpreter is an important tool, however the resources are limited which the nurses experienced as a problem. That relatives are available were seen as a reassurance for the patient and the nurse. More knowledge about different cultures is important to be able to give equal care to all. Conclusions: The nurses perceive shortcomings in communication with non-Swedish speaking patients.