Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31203515›Full record

SynthesisThe patient2019

Humanization of Care: Key Elements Identified by Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers. A Systematic Review.

Isolde M Busch, Francesca Moretti, Giulia Travaini, Albert W Wu, Michela Rimondini

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The patient, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 80 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
80citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

80 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  11. Between Ideal and Actual Care: Patients' and Family Carers' Experiences of Cancer Care Relationships.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2026
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20 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Isolde M BuschSection of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
Francesca MorettiSection of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Giulia TravainiSection of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Albert W WuDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Michela RimondiniSection of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy. michela.rimondini@univr.it.ORCID 0000-0003-2473-5530

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGiven the automatization of care and rationing of time and staff due to economic imperatives, often resulting in dehumanized care, the concept of 'humanization of care' has been increasingly discussed in the scientific literature. However, it is still an indistinct concept, lacking well-defined dimensions and to date no literature review has tried to capture it.

objectivesThe objectives of this systematic review were to identify the key elements of humanization of care by investigating stakeholders' (patients, patients' caregivers, healthcare providers) perspectives and to assess barriers and strategies for its implementation.

methodsWe carried out a systematic search of five electronic databases up to December 2017 as well as examining additional sources (e.g., gray literature). Search terms included "humanization/humanisation of care" and "dehumanization/dehumanisation of care". We conducted a thematic synthesis of the extracted study findings to identify descriptive themes and produce key elements.

resultsOf 1327 records retrieved, 14 full-text articles were included in the review. Three main areas (relational, organizational, structural) and 30 key elements (e.g., relationship bonding, holistic approach, adequate working conditions) emerged. Several barriers to implementation of humanization of care exist in all areas.

conclusionOur systematic review and synthesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the concept of humanization of care. The proposed key elements are expected to serve as preliminary guidance for healthcare institutions aiming to overcome challenges in various forms and achieve humanized and efficient care. Future studies need to fully examine specific practices of humanized care and test quantitatively their effectiveness by examining psychosocial and health outcomes.

Indexed as

HumanismPatient CareAttitude of Health PersonnelCaregiversHealth PersonnelHumans

Identifiers

PMID31203515

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.