Barriers encountered by nurses in the care of walk-in international patients in an emergency department in Japan

Background: An increasing number of international patients continue to visit emergency departments (EDs) in Japanese hospitals. However, nurses in Japan perceive challenges when caring for patients from other countries. This study explored ED nurses’ perceptions of barriers when caring for walk-in international patients. Methods: Five semi-structured online focus group interviews involving 15 registered nurses with experience in caring for patients in an ED at a university referral hospital located in the center of Tokyo were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns from the interviews. Results: The themes that emerged were as follows: (1) hesitation to engage with patients due to ambiguity, (2) loss of harmony in the ED, (3) difficulty with mutual goal settings, and (4) decreased professional self-efficacy. Conclusion: The findings provide an understanding of the challenges faced when caring for walk-in international patients. Educational interventions for ED nurses and other strategies, such as the use of interpreters, can enhance nurses’ abilities to improve patient safety and maintain equality.