FOUNDATIONS OF INTERCULTURAL NURSING CARE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Nursing care for Indigenous peoples requires an intercultural approach that integrates their knowledge and traditional systems of care with biomedical knowledge. This study aimed to identify the foundations that can guide such care. This qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study was conducted as an integrative literature review, analyzing 15 studies published between 2017 and 2026, selected through searches covering publications from 2016 to 2026. Three interrelated foundations were identified: recognition of sociocultural diversity, addressed in 100% of the studies; appreciation of traditional knowledge and the integration of different systems of care, in 66.7%; and intercultural communication, in 80%. Among the cross-cutting findings, cultural competence was addressed in 73.3% of the studies, while 60% identified gaps in professional education. The main challenges included a lack of understanding of sociocultural specificities, prejudice, the predominance of the biomedical model, and language barriers. Strategies to address these challenges included adapting care practices, fostering dialogue between different systems of care, linguistic and cultural mediation, and professional development. It is concluded that intercultural care requires recognizing sociocultural diversity, promoting dialogue between different forms of knowledge, and developing communication practices that enable patients to understand and participate in decisions regarding their care.