Sámi language in Norwegian health care: ‘He speaks good enough Norwegian, I don’t see why he needs an interpreter’

Abstract

Introduction The Indigenous people of Norway are legally entitled to use their Sámi language in encounters with healthcare services, yet these encounters are generally conducted in Norwegian language. The right to Sámi language and culture in health is particularly relegated when Sámi healthcare personnel is not present. This neglect of Sámi language and culture in the Norwegian healthcare system impacts on the quality of care Sámi patients receive. Aim This paper describes and interprets healthcare interactions between nurses and Sámi‐speaking patients in Norway. Method Qualitative semi‐structured focus group interviews were conducted with Sámi (n = 13) and Norwegian nurses (n = 10). Participants were included if they had experience working with Sámi‐speaking patients and two years clinical practice in the Sámi area of northern Norway. Interpretive and descriptive analyses were conducted. Findings Obtaining only basic patient information and lack of mapping of native language in admission documents or patient notes makes it challenging to recognise Sámi patients. In encounters with Sámi patients, Norwegian nurses must navigate linguistic challenges with an additional layer of interplay between culture and care. Misunderstandings in this area can undermine patient safety and be directly contrary to health legislation and patient rights. As remedy, Sámi nurses often improve the nurse–patient dialogue by translating and explaining cultural nuances, thus improving understanding of healthcare interactions, and bridging the gap to the Norwegian staff. Conclusion To integrate Sámi language and culture into nursing care new guidelines to implement knowledge of Sámi patients’ culture and language rights in healthcare education is needed. In addition, the authorities have to facilitate implementation of laws and regulations, research and guidelines in practical health care. At last, the number of Sámi‐speaking nurses has to increase.

Prevalence and factors associated with healthcare avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Sámi in Sweden: the SámiHET study

“…While previous studies have indicated that cultural factors posed barriers for the Sámi to access healthcare [ 43 , 44 ], none of those variables used in this study seemed to have played a role during the pandemic.…”

The history of Sámi nursing education and the path toward regulations on a national guideline for Sámi nursing education in Norway

“…What essentially distinguishes the regulation on the New National Guideline for Sámi Nursing Education 2021, from the regulation on the Norwegian National Guideline for Nursing Education 2019, is the addition of a new subject area, namely the health and social consequences of the Norwegianization policy (Kunnskapsdepartementet, 2019, 2021). Since this field of knowledge had not previously been taught in nursing education in Norway, nurses were unfamiliar with this aspect of interaction with Sámi patients (Engenes et al, 2022; Mehus et al, 2018, 2019). Both guidelines for nursing education in Norway are in accordance with the European Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications with subsequent amendments 2013/55/EU.…”

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“…Rein okkens instinkter styrer denne tiden. Det kan også vaere at pasienten eller de pårørende opplever en språkbarriere mot å kontakte hjelpeapparatet utenfor sin egen samiskspråklige kommune (12,(14)(15)(16).…”