Humanized Care in Hospital Settings: Contributions from Psychology

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.01596426200312

• Palavras-chave: “Hospital Psychology,” “Psychology,” “Humanization,” and “Care”

• Keywords: "Hospital Psychology", "Psychology", "Humanization", and "Care"

• Abstract:

  Hospitalization generally causes depersonalization and suffering, as the patient is  reduced to their illness or the bed they occupy. Hospital Psychology emerges as a , fundamental field for promoting humanization, restoring subjectivity and dignity. The  National Humanization Policy (PNH), created in 2003, established standards such as  welcoming care, active listening, expanded clinical care, and strengthening of bonds. However, its  implementation still faces obstacles, such as work overload, the supremacy of the  biomedical model, and the vulnerability of institutional structures. In this sense, exploring how the literature understands and addresses the topic allows us to identify and understand challenges, strategies, and practices that promote more comprehensive and ethical care. The objective is to analyze scientific literature on humanized care in hospital settings, identifying challenges, methods, and contributions to improving the experience of patients and their families. This project is a systematic review of the literature. The search will be conducted in the SciELO, PePSIC, and CAPES Journals databases, using the keywords “Hospital Psychology,” “Psychology,” “Humanization,” and “Care.” The following inclusion criteria were established: publications between 2016 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, that discuss humanization practices in the hospital setting. Articles lacking a consistent theoretical or empirical basis and those that do not address hospital practice will be excluded. The data will be organized by themes, covering the challenges, the role of psychological listening, and the impacts of humanization. It is expected that the analyzed literature will identify significant difficulties in hospital practices, such as rigid protocols, work overload, lack of institutional support, and resistance related to the traditional biomedical model. However, psychological listening is an essential resource for welcoming patients and building bonds, particularly in contexts of vulnerability, to promote care and comprehensiveness. The studies may also highlight how interdisciplinary practice, the promotion of patient autonomy, and the adaptation of practices to cultural and social particularities have expanded the effectiveness of humanized care. Thus, the results reinforce that humanization in hospital settings remains an ongoing challenge, requiring more defined policies, the strengthening of multidisciplinary teams, and the continuous improvement of healthcare professionals. Psychological listening stands out as a means of  welcoming and holistic care, fostering more ethical and patient-centered practices.  In this way, humanization establishes itself as a fundamental means for improving the  quality of care and for realizing the right to health.