Perceptions of established emotional bonds in a group of aged patients and healthcare professionals

OBJECTIVES: To apprehend the perception that a group of aged patients have from affective bonds established with healthcare professionals, in order to know which features they relate to healthcare professionals and to describe which features facilitate or impede the emotional bonds. METHODS: A field study with a qualitative approach in the School of Physiotherapy Clinic UniChristus from August 2013 to June 2014. Eight individuals of both genders, aged 60 years or older comprised the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a voice recorder, and analyzed based on Bardin's content analysis. RESULTS: Insatisfaction with the healthcare assistance was reported. Among the attributes that facilitate the health professional-patient relationship, the following were mentioned: being patient, attentive and to promote dialog. The absence of the professional, not looking at the patient and lack of attention were mentioned as attitudes that hamper the relationship. CONCLUSION: It becomes necessary to train health professionals to take care of the elderly, seeking to humanize assistance, as well as addressing their needs. It is important to mention that the practice of a more humanized assistance demands the offer of decent working conditions.