For many people, a diagnosis of illness is only the beginning of the anxiety, the biggest one often occurring at the thought of the hospital. Why is this the case, and how can we ensure that a stay in a medical facility is not a source of additional suffering, but a support on the road to recovery?
When the hospital causes more fear than diagnosis
For many people, it is not the illness itself that is the greatest source of stress, but the prospect of being admitted to hospital. It is associated with pain, loss of privacy, dependence on strangers and, often, loneliness. These fears can be so strong that they delay decisions about treatment or research. The fear of hospitalisation is particularly acute among older people, for whom a sudden break from the familiar rhythm of the day can be deeply disorientating.
Research shows that 38% patients over 60 years of age experience hospitalisation as a strong stressor. Among the most common reasons cited are lack of information about their condition, uncertainty about further treatment and fear of pain. Added to this are often previous experiences - not always positive - which shape a negative image of the hospital as a cold, impersonal, overly technical place.
Communication that can do more than medicine
Empathy, patience and attentiveness are the three qualities that patients most often expect from medical staff. Good communication builds a sense of security, reduces tension and gives space to express fears. According to the study, as many as 81% patients consider the cordiality of the staff as one of the key elements affecting their psychological comfort.
Importantly, it is not just about conveying information, but how this is done. Calmly explaining, being open to questions, and being willing to talk - especially in moments of uncertainty allow the patient to feel like a subject. Often it is this human contact, and not the apparatus or the results, that determines how the patient experiences his or her stay in hospital.
Understanding anxiety rather than downplaying it
Fear of the hospital is not a 'fad' or an 'overreaction' - it is a real experience that can paralyse and influence health decisions. It is often rooted in previous traumas, stories from others or a lack of control over the situation. The less the patient knows, the more of this ignorance is filled with fear and conjecture.
The humanistic approach in hospital care implies that instead of silencing the patient's emotions, the patient should be helped to understand them. In practice, this means, among other things, recognising distress signals, naming feelings and creating an environment in which the patient feels listened to. This approach is of great importance both in preventing stress and in building trust.
People, not just procedures
A hospital is a place where technology, science and people meet. But it is the latter - the patient - that should be at the centre of attention. The humanisation of treatment implies that even the most complex medical procedure can be carried out with respect for the dignity, sensitivity and emotional needs of the patient.
In practice, this means small but significant changes: being introduced by the staff, explaining what is going to happen, ensuring privacy or a simple "are you OK?". This kind of behaviour, although not part of medical procedures, has a huge impact on the patient's psychological comfort. They then feel noticed - as a person, not just a disease case.