Bridging Culture and Care: The Role of Ethnographic Inquiry in Contemporary Nursing Practice

Andreia Faleiro and Cláudia Oliveira

Community and Interculturality in Dialogue, 2025, vol. 5, 151

Abstract: Introduction: Ethnography has gained increasing relevance in nursing research by enabling the understanding of cultural meanings attributed to health, illness, and care. This study aims to analyze the application of ethnography in the nursing discipline, with a particular focus on ethnonursing as a theoretical and practical field that supports culturally congruent care. Methods: A literature analysis was conducted, focusing on studies and theoretical contributions that explore the integration of ethnographic approaches in nursing. Emphasis was placed on the epistemological foundations of ethnography, participant observation techniques, interviews, and documentary research, as well as on the identification of ethical and methodological challenges. Results: The findings reveal that ethnonursing provides a robust framework for understanding cultural contexts in healthcare. The literature highlights its relevance in promoting care practices that respect cultural diversity and improve the nurse-patient relationship. Key methodological tools such as participant observation and cultural interviews are central to its implementation. However, challenges such as researcher positioning, ethical dilemmas, and the complexity of cultural interpretation remain. Conclusions: Integrating ethnonursing into clinical practice enhances the delivery of interculturally competent care that upholds human dignity. In a global context marked by increasing cultural diversity and migratory flows, ethnographic approaches contribute significantly to tailoring care to patients' cultural needs, reinforcing the central role of nursing in promoting equitable and respectful healthcare.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dbk:commun:v:5:y:2025:i::p:151:id:151

DOI: 10.56294/cid2025151

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