TITLE:
Hospital Settings and Dehumanization: Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Dimitra Lekka, Dimitra Lekka, Anna Madoglou, Vasia I. Karamanoli, Vasiliki Yotsidi, George Alexias, Konstantina Orlandou, Eirini Karakasidou, Anastassios Stalikas
KEYWORDS:
Hospital Settings, Dehumanization, Patients, Health Professionals
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
26,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: The concept of dehumanization is not new to psychology, but in recent years the study of the phenomenon in the field of health has begun. By dehumanization, we mean the removal of humanness from the other human being. Purpose: The purpose of this review is the bibliography background in the field of health in order to investigate if there is dehumanization. Method: The methodology that has been used is the review of literature from 2002 to 2019 with keywords in the databases: Google scholar, Pubmed, PsycInfo and Scopus. Results: The use of language by health professionals can comfort or dehumanize the hospitalized patient. Workload, bureaucracy, and profit-oriented economic policies can also lead to dehumanization. The difference in socioeconomic characteristics between doctors and patients can also contribute to the dehumanization of the hospitalized patient. Medical education that focuses on the affected organ rather than the holistic treatment of the patient, the overuse of technology, and the failure to discriminate against the patient can also contribute to dehumanization. Conclusion: It can be seen from the literature review that there is dehumanization in the hospital settings and it is suggested measures be taken to deal with the phenomenon.