Lived experiences of racism in nursing care for patients in Iran: A Phenomenological study

Background : Racism is a complex and multidimensional concept and is regarded as a significant social issue. Since racism as a social construct, has emerged from research conducted across various cultural and social context, it seems necessary to study the experiences of individuals in the culture and religion of each society. Thus, this qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of racism in nursing care for patients in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study performed a phenomenological nature on 14 patients and nurses selected through the purposive sampling method with maximum variation. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews betweenApril and September 2025 in Iran. Data analysis was done by Colaizzi method. For rigor of data, Lincoln and Guba criteria were used. The data were handled by MAXQDA software. Results: The main themes identified in this study were antecedents of racialized care experiences, consequences for patients and care quality, manifestations of mal-care affecting trust and communication, and preventive measures to promote equitable nursing practice. Conclusion Based on these results, it is suggested that educational programs for nurses and other healthcare workers regarding racism and its effects on nursing care be implemented on an ongoing basis.