The humanization of healthcare: A value framework for qualitative research

Abstract

Qualitative research, through its illumination of people's perspectives and experiences, has contributed a particular kind of useful evidence for caring practices. Until now however, it has found its location in healthcare without making the powerful impact on humanizing practice that is its key strength. Our paper develops a conceptual framework for humanizing care, and through examples illustrates an emerging agenda that moves qualitative research into its next and overdue phase: to enter policy-making; curricula in professional education; and to be meaningfully translated into practice in ways that place people as human beings at the centre of care. This paper provides eight philosophically informed dimensions of humanization, which together, form a framework that constitutes a comprehensive value base for considering both the potentially humanizing and dehumanizing elements in caring systems and interactions. In each case, we show, with reference to published studies, how qualitative research findings are already consistent with the humanizing focus articulated in our conceptual framework. We finally describe a reciprocal relationship in which the humanizing value framework guides a dedicated focus for qualitative research, and in which qualitative research in its turn, supports the humanising emphasis because of its intrinsic features.

A humanisation approach for the management of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Hypermobility Type (JHS/EDS-HT)

“…Listening to a person’s story is integral to the management of long-term conditions and it is suggested there is a requirement to understand this within the context of “human dimensions of illness and healing” (Knight, 2015; Nielsen, 2014; Nowaczyk, 2012). In this paper we aim to introduce the reader to the concept of managing those with JHS/EDS-HT using the philosophical concepts of the humanisation framework (Todres et al, 2009). …”

“…This framework was developed for health and social care (Todres et al, 2009) and considers what makes well-being possible. Understanding that well-being is more than just an absence of illness that it is associated with both an “experience of” and “feeling of” “being-in- the- world” (Galvin & Todres, 2013).…”

“…In this next section there is a discussion relating to each dimension (Todres et al, 2009) by defining the humanising and dehumanising aspects and linking them to the experiences of those with JHS/EDS-HT. Specific case examples are employed to support the discussion, which are real cases from the authors’ practice with names changed to preserve anonymity.…”

“…The aim of this paper is to explore the use of the humanisation framework proposed by Todres, Galvin and Holloway (2009) to guide HPs in exploring a person’s story and facilitating the management of JHS/EDS-HT. Todres et al (2009) describe a framework for humanising care by providing eight philosophically informed dimensions that could be used to guide the HPs in their consultation.…”

“…Todres et al (2009) describe a framework for humanising care by providing eight philosophically informed dimensions that could be used to guide the HPs in their consultation. This framework should be used as an adjunct to evidence-based consultations and interventions thereby increasing the effectiveness of healthcare.…”