Biopsychosocial Impacts of Humanized Care in Chronic Disease Management in Primary Health Care: A Literature Review
Rafael Alexander PITTY SERRANO, Roussmarie PITTI BONILLA, Katerine ABOUHARB and Mijail José ARAUZ NÚÑEZ
Humanized care has become a critical component of chronic disease management in Primary Health Care, where patients value empathy, active listening, and shared decision-making as much as technical expertise. Fragmented communication, limited continuity, and insufficient attention to patients’ experiences undermine engagement and self-management. In contrast, person-centered approaches integrating psychological and social dimensions strengthen clinical effectiveness, adherence, and perceived quality of care.To evaluate how humanized and person-centered approaches in Primary Health Care influence biological, psychological, and social outcomes among individuals living with chronic diseases and multimorbidity.A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS/BVS, and the Cochrane Library for studies published in the last five years. MeSH terms related to Primary Health Care, Chronic Disease, Multimorbidity, Self-Management, Quality of Life, and Psychological Stress were combined with Boolean operators (AND/OR). Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded. Eligible studies evaluated humanized or person-centered interventions versus standard care and reported biological, psychological, or social outcomes. Four reviewers independently screened all records and extracted data. Given methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.Across diverse settings, humanized interventions improved health-related quality of life, symptom burden, and key clinical parameters, while reducing avoidable hospitalisations and healthcare costs. Psychological benefits included decreased anxiety and depression, enhanced activation, and improved self-management capacity. Social outcomes, such as trust, perceived respect, communication quality, and cultural sensitivity, were central determinants of adherence and continuity. Inequities in age, gender, education, and social vulnerability influenced care experiences, highlighting the role of social determinants in moderating outcomes.Humanized care functions as a relational and organizational strategy that strengthens chronic disease management by integrating empathy, communication, cultural competence, and attention to socioeconomic contexts. Benefits are amplified when supported by stable therapeutic bonds, structured education, and person-centered planning. However, structural barriers, such as limited consultation time, fragmented communication, and organizational rigidity, continue to restrict implementation.Humanized and integrated care approaches generate meaningful biopsychosocial improvements for individuals with chronic conditions in Primary Health Care. By enhancing clinical parameters, psychological resilience, and social well-being, person-centered care should be incorporated as a foundational component of routine practice and health system planning.
