The application of humanization theory to health-promoting practice

Abstract

It has been identified that if public health interventions do not account for what it means to be human, they are likely to fail. The aim of this article is to introduce humanization theory and to show how it can be applied to health-promoting practice. Health promotion can feature humanizing and dehumanizing elements, and these appear to impact on how people may (or may not) engage with interventions. The primary prevention of skin cancer in young people is an illustration of this. The practice implications of applying humanization theory to health promotion are potentially vast and complex; however, it is proposed that considering the dimensions of humanization may be a useful activity to inform the early stages of health-promotion intervention designs. Furthermore, developing the qualitative research evidence base about peoples' experiences of humanizing dimensions of health promotion would also be a valuable step towards ensuring that interventions account for the 'human dimension'. Applying humanization theory to the specific example of skin cancer prevention in young people has been a new venture but based on work so far, suggestions for humanizing principles for skin cancer prevention would need to be inclusive of the needs of young people, to support them and to involve them in research and intervention development.

Humanized Artificial Intelligence

“…Using neural network, AI algorithm can identify and categorize the level of depression through a study of characteristics of speech, amount of breath, word choice, etc. Healthcare professionals should rethink their behaviors when providing care to patients so they can ensure quality care based on humanization [10]. Figure 1 shows an example of the Human-AI system in healthcare [11].…”

Self- and Other-Dehumanization Processes in Health-Related Contexts: A Critical Review of the Literature

“…Given such adverse consequences, in the last decade, many researchers have dedicated their efforts to understanding and promoting the humanization of health services as a way to increase health care equity and quality (Norton, 2015; Sueiras et al, 2017; Todres et al, 2009). However, despite all the vital contributions of the health care service literature, it has often neglected the multidimensional social-psychological processes involved in the dehumanization of self and other in formal health-related contexts and beyond.…”

A influência de programas e metodologias da qualidade aplicadas na área da saúde.

“…No entanto, as dimensões de humanização podem ser uma atividade útil para informar os estágios iniciais de promoção da saúde em projetos que sofrem algum tipo de intervenção (NORTON, 2015).…”