HUMANIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF PALLIATIVE CARE: ETHICAL, BIOETHICAL, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERFACES IN HOLISTIC CARE FOR THE PATIENT AND THEIR FAMILY

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the ethical, bioethical, and psychosocial interfaces that permeate humanization within the context of palliative care, focusing on the promotion of dignity and quality of life for patients and their families. A bibliographic and qualitative methodology was adopted, structured around the review of scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025, selected from databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus. Studies addressing ethical, emotional, and multiprofessional aspects of palliative care were included, while those with an exclusively clinical or pharmacological focus were excluded. The discussion revealed that humanization is an essential element of holistic care, integrating empathy, ethics, and interdisciplinarity. The authors analyzed — Emanuel et al. (2023), Bock et al. (2022), Curtis et al. (2021), Zimmermann et al. (2022), Bissonnette et al. (2024), Ben-Arye et al. (2021), and Perry et al. (2021) — converge in affirming that communication, empathy, and emotional support are key determinants of quality of life and of coping with finitude. The bond among the care team, the patient, and the family emerged as the central axis of humanized practice. In conclusion, the research question was answered, and the specific objectives were achieved, demonstrating that humanized palliative care requires ethical, emotional, and institutional preparedness. Further empirical research is suggested on humanization practices and professional self-care strategies.