CHALLENGES OF HUMANIZATION IN NURSING CARE FOR PATIENTS IN PALLIATIVE CARE

Abstract

Palliative care is an essential approach for patients with serious and incurable diseases, aiming at pain relief, symptom control, and emotional, psychological, and spiritual support for patients and their families. Despite its great importance, its implementation often occurs late due to lack of awareness, shortage of human resources, and limited training of professionals. This article reviews the qualitative and descriptive literature, with the objective of analyzing challenges of humanization in nursing care in palliative care, and identifying strategies that promote comprehensive and patient-centered care. Results show that humanization faces obstacles such as insufficient structure, limited resources, and emotional exhaustion of professionals, who often do not receive institutional support, increasing the risk of burnout. Difficulties in communication and ethical dilemmas compromise the bond between staff, patients, and family members. The lack of specific training hinders humanized practice. However, when applied, humanization significantly improves the quality of life of patients and family members. It is concluded that investing in training, emotional support and institutional policies is essential to strengthen ethical, comprehensive and human-centered care, ensuring dignity, comfort and respect until the end of life.