Concepts of subject and autonomy in humanization of healthcare: a literature review of experiences in hospital service

Abstract

This paper investigates the concepts of subject and autonomy in scientific articles about humanization experiences developed in Brazilian hospitals, published between 2004 and 2010. We performed a literature review on the Virtual Library on Health database, using "humanization of hospital assistance" and "humanization of hospital care" descriptors; we chose to review articles that presented proposals for intervention or assessment of hospital care with a focus on humanization. It was noticed that most articles emphasized that initiatives of humanization should provide users with a more expanded understanding, sensitive to issues that the authors consider neglected at health services, such as the recognition of the patient's uniqueness, complexity and individuality. In contrast, healthcare workers are seen as showing a certain amount of voluntarism and as subjects that should enable their skills towards the humanization of healthcare. However, analysis of these items allows us to point out the lack of discussion about the inter-subjective, organizational, political, institutional and social dimensions that involve the projects of humanization. Subjects - professionals and patients, are seen predominantly from conceptions that emphasize individualism and bypass the network of dependencies inherent to human relationships, the power plays and affections (friendly and hostile) that feed them. At last, it is pointed out the gap between the concepts of subject and autonomy in the articles analyzed with respect to the propositions present in the National Humanization Policy and in healthcare management and planning theoretical field.