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The Intercultural Mediator as a Bridge in Healthcare Professional-Migrant Patient Care Relationships: A Qualitative
Gabriele Caggianelli1,2, Arianna Anzini1, Irene Dello Iacono1,2
1Department of Healthcare Professions, Azienda Ospedaliera Complesso Ospedaliero San Giovanni Addolorata, Via dell'Amba Aradam, 8, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Background/Objectives: This study aims to describe the experiences of healthcare professionals collaborating with Intercultural Mediators (IMs) in the care relationships with migrant patients. Methods: This study is a qualitative descriptive study. A total of 13 healthcare professionals (9 nurses and 4 physicians) working in two public hospitals in Italy participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews between June and July 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories emerged: (1) the experience of healthcare professionals in the relationship with migrant patients; (2) the linguistic and intercultural mediator as a supportive relational role; and (3) limitations in language and intercultural mediation. Participants described difficulties in mutual understanding due to cultural and linguistic barriers and emphasized the central role of the mediator as a bridge between diverse cultural worlds. IMs were described as essential in promoting trust, improving therapeutic adherence, and supporting culturally sensitive communication. However, organizational challenges included limited availability of IMs, poor integration into clinical teams, and the lack of structured, continuous support system. Conclusions: IMs are perceived as key actors in facilitating communication, trust, and therapeutic adherence with migrant patients. Yet their integration within healthcare teams remains underutilized due to organizational barriers. The findings inform managers and policymakers about the necessity of structurally integrating IMs within clinical teams and implementing intercultural competence programmes to ensure equitable and culturally sensitive care for migrant patients.
Background/Objectives: This study aims to describe the experiences of healthcare professionals collaborating with Intercultural Mediators (IMs) in the care relationships with migrant patients. Methods: This study is a qualitative descriptive study. A total of 13 healthcare professionals (9 nurses and 4 physicians) working in two public hospitals in Italy participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews between June and July 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories emerged: (1) the experience of healthcare professionals in the relationship with migrant patients; (2) the linguistic and intercultural mediator as a supportive relational role; and (3) limitations in language and intercultural mediation. Participants described difficulties in mutual understanding due to cultural and linguistic barriers and emphasized the central role of the mediator as a bridge between diverse cultural worlds. IMs were described as essential in promoting trust, improving therapeutic adherence, and supporting culturally sensitive communication. However, organizational challenges included limited availability of IMs, poor integration into clinical teams, and the lack of structured, continuous support system. Conclusions: IMs are perceived as key actors in facilitating communication, trust, and therapeutic adherence with migrant patients. Yet their integration within healthcare teams remains underutilized due to organizational barriers. The findings inform managers and policymakers about the necessity of structurally integrating IMs within clinical teams and implementing intercultural competence programmes to ensure equitable and culturally sensitive care for migrant patients.
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