NATIONAL POLICY FOR HUMANIZATION IN HEALTH: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM THE PROFESSIONAL-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AND EXPAND CARE

Abstract

The National Humanization Policy (PNH), established in 2003 by the Ministry of Health, represents a milestone in the care and management practices of the Unified Health System (SUS), by proposing greater democratization of institutional spaces, user appreciation, and strengthening of professional relationships. Its goal is to overcome the traditional verticalized model and promote participatory practices that positively impact the professional-patient relationship and patient care. Despite progress, the implementation of the PNH still faces challenges such as workload, institutional resistance, lack of adequate investment, and the persistence of authoritarian practices, which compromise its full consolidation. The objective of this study is to discuss the challenges and strategies of the National Humanization Policy in Health, focusing on its capacity to transform the professional-patient relationship and expand patient care. To this end, an integrative literature review was conducted, based on the framework of Mendes, Silveira, and Galvão (2019), which allows for a critical synthesis of scientific and empirical productions. The PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, Regional VHL, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Articles published between 2019 and 2025, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in full, and related to the topic were included. Duplicate studies, studies published outside the established period, or those that did not directly address the topic were excluded. The selection process included reading titles, abstracts, and full texts, with independent evaluation by two reviewers. The summary of the results was organized narratively, supported by charts and tables to highlight the advances, limitations, and perspectives of the PNH. The analysis highlights that the PNH is an essential tool for promoting welcoming and strengthening bonds between professionals and users, but its effectiveness depends on overcoming structural, cultural, and political barriers. Strategies such as co-management, qualified listening, co-accountability, and participatory technological integration demonstrate potential for expanding humanization. It is concluded that strengthening the National Health Program (PNH) requires institutional investment, ongoing training, and the appreciation of human relationships as a central axis of management and care.