In Episode 15 of ETNAtalks, host Juan Leyva is joined by Dr Nilgün Kuru Alıcı from Hacettepe University, Türkiye, to explore why transcultural nursing is not an abstract concept, but an essential part of everyday care.

Drawing on her work with refugee communities in Türkiye, Dr Kuru Alıcı discusses how culture, gender roles, health beliefs and everyday practices can shape people’s experiences of healthcare. She reflects on her research with Syrian and Afghan women, highlighting the importance of trust, culturally sensitive communication and community partnerships when addressing sensitive topics such as reproductive health and cancer screening. The conversation also considers the often-overlooked role of men in family planning and why engaging them can help overcome barriers to informed decision-making.

The episode then turns to another strand of Dr Kuru Alıcı’s work: laughter as a complementary nursing intervention. From laughter yoga with older adults to the use of short recorded laughter exercises with survivors of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, she explains how simple, accessible approaches can support wellbeing, reduce stress and create moments of relief — while emphasising that they are supportive tools rather than substitutes for psychological care.

Ultimately, the discussion returns to a central message: providing access to healthcare is not enough. Effective care requires professionals to understand the cultural values, habits and realities of the people they serve, moving beyond the disease to see and support the whole person.