The Sámi Indigenous population, who live in the arctic Sápmi area across four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia, have practiced traditional medicine (TM) in millennia. However, today it is unknown within the Swedish health care services. The aim of this study is to describe the nature and scope of research conducted on Sámi TM among the four countries in the Sápmi area. A review study was conducted for peer-reviewed research published in English language up to April 8, 2020. From 15 databases, 240 abstracts were identified, and 15 publications met the inclusion criteria for full review. Fourteen studies were conducted in Norway, one in Finland, while none in Sweden and Russia. In Northern Norway, currently Sámi TM is actively used by the local communities, especially among psychiatric and cancer patients and among the Sámi. The need to integrate Sámi TM into the conventional health care services is clearly voiced by the psychiatric patients, especially among Sámi (81%). The prevailing world view of acknowledging spirituality in treatment was the main reason for Sámi psychiatric patients to use TM. More studies are needed to understand the Sámi TM situation in Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
