Percepção dos profissionais de saúde brasileiros sobre humanização na unidade de terapia intensiva: revisão de escopo

Abstract

Objective: To map the knowledge and practices of Brazilian healthcare professionals regarding the care process in Intensive Care Units. Method: This is a scoping review conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the International Journal of Nursing Studies (IJB) and the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA ScR). The search was carried out in the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE); Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS); Nursing Database (BDENF); Scopus; Web of Science; Catalog of Theses and Dissertations from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES); and Google Scholar. Study selection and analysis were performed independently by two reviewers, with no restrictions on publication period or language. Results: The studies showed that humanization in Intensive Care Units is recognized as essential, although there is a gap between the ideal and daily practice. Highlighted strategies include family presence, effective communication, and multidisciplinary teamwork. The main barriers include work overload, understaffing, and inadequate physical infrastructure. Humanized care demonstrated a positive impact on patient recovery and the mental health of professionals. Practices vary according to the type of Intensive Care Unit, with emphasis on family bonding in pediatric ICUs, technological balance in adult sectors, and palliative care for oncology patients. Conclusion: Perceptions vary according to the type of Intensive Care Unit. It is concluded that professionals understand humanization as essential, but it is limited by everyday care challenges.