Humanization of healthcare at the emergency department: A qualitative analysis based on nurses’ experiences

Abstract

Background: The working conditions of emergency department professionals and the technification of healthcare have had a negative impact on the healthcare professional-patient relationship, dehumanizing it. Objective: This qualitative study explored nurses’ perspectives about the humanization of healthcare in Spanish emergency departments. Methodology: A qualitative design, centred on the opinions of 11 nurses working in the emergency department was applied via semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the content analysis technique. Results: Two main themes were identified: The dimensions of humanized healthcare and implementing humanized healthcare at emergency departments, as well as five subthemes. Conclusion: Recommendations are put forward to strengthen initiatives for implementing integrated models of healthcare assistance. The implementation of holistic, patient and family-oriented healthcare is essential to guaranteeing humanized healthcare at the emergency department.