Maria Teresa Sanz-Osorio

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? Humanizing the world of health is a complex process that includes all the dimensions of the person. When a person has from a mental illness, the humanization of care becomes more important, as the disorder itself prevents the person to participate in their health process, even when showing self‐harm or aggressive behaviours. These situations jointly with other factors related with professionals (insufficient ratio, inadequate treatment or lack of training) may cause the patient admitted to the acute psychiatric hospitalization unit to require the use of restrictive measures (involuntary admissions, mechanical restraints or forced administration of medication). What the paper adds to existing knowledge? We identify the relevance of the perception the patient and family have regarding the care received, as well as the relevance of factors related to the professionals, among which the attitude, the staff ratio, the nursing time of direct dedication, and the therapeutic environment and safety of the patient and the professionals. All patients must be treated with dignity, respect, regardless of the aggressive manifestations caused by their pathology. What are the implications for practice? A greater understanding of the care offered to admitted people affected by a mental disorder, their families and professionals who care for them in acute mental health units, giving greater importance to “caring” and not exclusively to “curing.” Abstract Introduction Humanization in Mental Health refers to give the same relevance to the clinical needs and to the social, emotional and psychological needs. Aim To identify the published knowledge on current care models related to the humanization of care in acute psychiatric units. Method Scoping review based on the methodological model of Arksey and O'Malley, and PRISMA methodology. Database searches (Pubmed, Cinahl, Virtual Library, Cuiden, Academic Google and PsycInfo) with the terms: “Humanization,” “Hospitals Psychiatric,” “Emergency Psychiatric,” “Psychiatric Service” and “Psychiatric intensive care units.” Results Twenty‐two articles met the inclusion criteria. Four thematic units were identified: aspects related to (i) patient perceptions; (ii) Government policies and hospitality organizational culture; (iii) external factors such as the environment, family or associations; and (iv) safety and security. Discussion Only one of the articles mentions the concept analysed, although all of them contribute with key aspects of healthcare humanization, such as the empowerment of the patient, the care model, the staff ratio, the therapeutic relationship, the nursing time of direct dedication to the patient, the therapeutic environment, safety and patient and staff perception of feeling safe. Implications for Practice The present study can help to improve the care offered in acute mental health units.