Humanisation at Alicante General Hospital: "Patients Must Be at the Centre of Care"

Twenty professionals and patients gathered this Tuesday at Alicante General Hospital to share experiences and innovative initiatives in the field of healthcare humanisation. This concept involves placing the patient at the centre of care, adopting a comprehensive bio-psycho-social approach, and respecting the dignity of the individual at all times.

The event, titled 'Humanisation and Excellence in Healthcare', was promoted by the Alicante General Hospital Health Department and ILUNION, with support from the Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL) and the ONCE Social Group, among other collaborators.

During the opening of the day, led by the Regional Secretary of Health, Begoña Comendador, attendees included the manager of ASI Alicante-Centre, Francisco Soriano, and the president of the Spanish Society of Health Executives (SEDISA), José Soto, among others.

In her speech, the Regional Secretary of Health highlighted the importance of holding such forums "to improve the quality of care provided to patients." She stated that "the commitment and involvement of the Health Department in this matter is firm."

The event included various round tables and conferences, addressing topics such as the importance of empathy and compassion in patient relations; improving healthcare infrastructure to ensure that health centres are designed for people; initiatives that enhance communication with patients and facilitate their decision-making, integrating their families and considering their needs and well-being, as well as innovative solutions in the sector.

In this context, two round tables took place, "Idea Incubator" and "Experiences in Humanisation", where prominent healthcare professionals from the Alicante province shared their insights and presented various success stories focused on humanisation. Initiatives such as those driven by the Transplant Coordination at Doctor Balmis Hospital to instil the values of organ donation in young people, or the development-focused care carried out in the Neonatal Unit.

Experiences of humanisation in Primary Care were also presented, demonstrating how information can help reduce patients' fears and uncertainties and the potential of community interventions to reach out to users and improve their quality of life.

Another round table, moderated by journalist Ernesto Sáenz de Buruaga, an expert in health and healthcare humanisation, brought together the managers of the Departments of La Fe in Valencia, Sant Joan d'Alacant, and Alicante General Hospital, José Luis Poveda, Antonio Marqués, and Francisco Soriano, respectively, who shared their perspectives and delved into key issues related to healthcare management.

The voice of patients was present, being a core element of humanisation, with the participation of Marcial Salgado and Águeda Candela Ferrándiz, who shared their personal experiences and recalled one of the key principles of this issue, which reminds us that "I am a person before I am a patient."

The 'Musicians for Health' foundation showcased some of the performances it conducts in care spaces of various hospitals, as part of a project that provides moments of respite and relief through music, to help patients, residents, and healthcare staff. The closing conference, delivered by Ernesto Sáenz de Buruaga, focused on humanisation in healthcare.