The University, Merck and the Humans Foundation sign an agreement to launch a training program in the humanization of health care.

The humanization of healthcare attendance has proven to be a fundamental pillar in improving patient experience and quality of care. However, today there is an urgent need to reinforce the person-centered approach in clinical internship . Healthcare professionals must not only have high-level technical and scientific knowledge, but also communication skills, empathy and strategies that allow them to care for patients in a comprehensive manner, respecting their dignity, emotions and individual needs.

In this framework, the School of Nursing and the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra, the science and technology company Merck and the Humans Foundation have signed an agreement to carry out a training program in the humanization of healthcare aimed at healthcare professionals from all over Spain, which will begin its activity in May.

Through a participatory and flexible methodology, the initiative seeks to provide doctors, nurses and other professionals in the sector with practical tools to improve the relationship with patients and their environment. This is a decisive step towards a more humanized healthcare model , where science and technology advance without losing sight of the value of warmth, active listening and respect for the whole person.

This initiative reinforces the firm commitment of the three entities to provide a closer, more personalized and respectful attendance the needs of patients, their families and the healthcare professionals themselves.

In the words of Ana Choperena, dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Navarra: "The training, research and health attendance offered by the University of Navarra is characterized by placing the person at the center of its activity. This training program, which incorporates among its fundamental instructions the approach care centered on the person and his or her family, focuses on the intrinsic value of the person, the interdisciplinary development of excellent humanized care".

"Quality attendance not only depends on scientific and technological advances, but, above all, on the comprehensive training of the professionals who practice it. Therefore, it is essential that, in addition to a solid scientific and technical preparation, health professionals are guided by a deep respect for human rights, the dignity of each patient and the welfare of their families," says Dr. Leire Arbea, Vice-Dean for Innovation and Director of the Medical Education and Clinical training Unit of the School of Medicine. "Only through this combination of knowledge, ethics and vocation of service will we be able to build a truly humane healthcare system, capable of responding to the needs of society".

For his part, Manuel Zafra, President of Merck in Spain, reaffirmed Merck's commitment to person-centered care "to achieve a more humane healthcare system that places the patient at the center of the healthcare process and takes into account not only their medical needs, but also their emotional and social needs. Training healthcare professionals in this humanized dimension of medicine will help to normalize this internship ".

Dr. Julio Zarco, president of the Humans Foundation, commented: "This agreement is a fundamental step in transforming the way we understand and practice healthcare in Spain. It is not only about raising awareness, but also about providinginternship training to help professionals to apply humanization in their day-to-day work. Experience shows that when patients feel listened to and understood, their wellbeing and recovery improve significantly.

The program, which will last a total of 25 hours, will address the following topics: person-centered care as the central approach to humanizing health care; health professionals as the main agents of humanization (personal and interpersonal competencies) and the study of the environment.

All management and admission to the program will be in position of a joint committee made up of professionals from Merck, Humans Foundation and the University of Navarra.