Background:

The number of people with foreign background living in the Nordic countries has increased the last few years. This means that healthcare personnel meet more people with different languages, traditions and values.

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight experiences of encounters with Nordic health care among people with a foreign background.

Method:

The study was a literature study and based on 12 scientific articles, which were analyzed according to Friberg's model of qualitative analysis. The theoretical frame of reference that was used is Leininger's theory of nursing cultural care diversity.

Result: The data analysis resulted in three themes that illustrated the experiences of Nordic healthcare and people with a foreign background. These themes were: receiving care on equal terms, to feel at home and to feel insecurity.

Conclusion: Most of the people living in the Nordic countries with a foreign background were pleased with the healthcare, but a few areas were in need of improvement. Communication was always an issue for the individuals who did not speak the same language nor share the same traditions. It was therefore important that the caregivers were willing to be open-minded and work together to resolve cultural differences. It was also important to really observe the patient, to take into consideration the patients´ capacity and resources to help the patient.