Humanization of nursing care: an integrative review of contributions to the quality of person-centered care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62331/2965-758X.v4.2026.77Keywords:
Humanization of care, Nursing, Hospital care, Primary health careAbstract
Humanizing nursing care is a core component of safe, ethical, and person-centered practice, facilitating therapeutic communication and the development of strong professional-patient-family relationships. The objective of this study was to analyze the importance of humanizing nursing care while identifying care practices, challenges, and contributions to the quality of person-centered care. An integrative review was conducted, with the research question structured using the PICO strategy. Searches were conducted in the BVS and PubMed databases for studies published between 2018 and 2025. The selection process followed PRISMA 2020 recommendations using the Rayyan® platform, resulting in the inclusion of nine studies. The studies identified three thematic categories: the relationship between nursing professionals and patients as a central element of humanization; the influence of humanization on the quality of care and patient safety; and the structural, organizational, and educational challenges regarding the implementation of humanized care practices. Evidence indicates that effective communication, attentive listening, a welcoming approach, and the strengthening of the therapeutic bond foster better care outcomes, higher user satisfaction, and enhanced safety. Key challenges include heavy workloads, insufficient human resources, structural limitations, and deficits in professional training. Humanization is an indispensable strategy for enhancing the quality of nursing care. Strengthening this approach requires investment in continuing education, public policy support, and improved organizational conditions to consolidate person-centered care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 João Eduardo Fernandes de Souza, Érica Rodrigues dos Santos, Letícia Freitas Yoshida, Adriana Luiz Sartoreto Mafra, Jussara Britto Batista Gonçalves, Marcia Cristina Nobukuni, Milena Cristina Pietrobon Vasques, Rogério Rodrigo Ramos
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