Primary Care Nurses’ Experiences and Strategies for Addressing Communication Barriers in Caring for Migrant Patients: A Qualitative Study

Communication barriers are an increasingly important issue in primary care due to the growing migrant population. In Andalusia, particularly in Almería, this situation poses a significant challenge for nurses working in primary care settings. Linguistic diversity can affect the nurse–patient relationship, exchange of health information and continuity of care. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore primary care nurses’ experiences and strategies for addressing communication barriers when caring for migrant patients. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Twenty-two nurses were recruited through convenience sampling and interviewed. Results: Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three main themes emerged: (1) language barriers, discontinuity of care, and nursing workload; (2) nurses’ perceptions of gender and cultural influences on communication; and (3) adaptive responses, community support, and governance demands. Conclusions: Communication barriers in primary care, particularly those related to language, were perceived by nurses as affecting the quality and continuity of care and contributing to emotional distress. In the absence of institutional resources, nurses rely on improvised strategies. The findings highlight the need for institutional responses that promote equitable, culturally competent, and patient-centered care.