의료관광 간호 지원정책에 관한 현상학적 연구

A Phenomenological Study on Nursing Support Policies in Medical Tourism

(Purpose) This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for international patients in medical tourism settings using a phenomenological approach. The primary objectives were to identify language and cultural barriers, examine emotional burdens, and determine the need for supportive policies. The findings serve as foundational data for enhancing nurses’ international nursing competencies and informing policy development. (Methods) From April to June 2024, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight nurses who had at least one year of experience caring for international patients in general hospitals and medical tourism departments in Korea. The interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological analysis procedure, and triangulation was employed to enhance credibility and validity. (Results) A total of 118 significant statements were extracted and organized into 75 formulated meanings, which were then grouped into 28 themes. These themes were further clustered into 11 theme clusters and five major categories: (1) communication difficulties due to language barriers, (2) conflicts and tensions arising from cultural differences, (3) emotional burdens and emotional labor, (4) international nursing competencies and self-efficacy, and (5) organizational support and multidisciplinary collaboration. Nurses reported facing communication challenges rooted in linguistic and cultural barriers, cultural and religious conflicts, and emotional exhaustion. Nonetheless, these difficulties ultimately contributed to the development of their international nursing competencies and self-efficacy. Participants also highlighted the lack of organizational and institutional support, including translation services and frameworks for multidisciplinary collaboration. (Conclusion) Nurses working in medical tourism settings face complex, multifaceted challenges. Addressing these issues requires not only strengthening individual nursing competencies but also implementing robust organizational infrastructures—such as translation and education systems, multidisciplinary collaboration, and emotional support frameworks—at the hospital level. These findings can inform both improvements in nursing practice within medical tourism and the future development of related policies.