- A humanistic approach in the professional practice of a pediatric surgeon
A humanistic approach in the professional practice of a pediatric surgeon
Paediatric Surgery (Ukraine). 2026. 2(91): 147-153. doi: 10.15574/PS.2026.2(91).147153
Bilanov O. S., Ksyonz I. V., Bilash S. M., Zinchenko N. O., Verezomska S. Zh.
Poltava State Medical University, Ukraine
For citation: Bilanov OS, Ksyonz IV, Bilash SM, Zinchenko NO, Verezomska SZh. (2026). A humanistic approach in the professional practice of a pediatric surgeon. Paediatric Surgery (Ukraine). 2(91): 147-153. doi: 10.15574/PS.2026.2(91).147153.
Article received: Jan 13, 2026. Accepted for publication: Jun 15, 2026.
The professional activity of a pediatric surgeon has become increasingly important due to the growing prevalence of surgical conditions in children and the advancement of neonatal surgery. Modern medical practice requires the combination of a high level of professional competence with a humanistic approach that ensures psychological comfort, trust, and effective interaction with the child and their family, thereby contributing to improved quality of healthcare.
Aim – to elucidate the essence of the humanistic approach and identify the specific features of its implementation in pediatric surgical practice.
A retrospective analysis of the scientific literature on medical ethics, psychology, and pediatric surgery was conducted. A comparative approach was applied to identify optimal models of interaction within the doctor – child – family triad. The findings indicate that a humanistic approach, grounded in the principles of respect for the child’s dignity, empathy, open communication, and individualized treatment, enhances the effectiveness of surgical care. It is also demonstrated that the professional competence of a pediatric surgeon, when combined with humanistic values, fosters constructive relationships and improves treatment outcomes.
Conclusions. Humanistic principles in the work of a pediatric surgeon are an important determinant of improving the quality of the treatment process and medical care. The integration of ethical and psychological aspects into practice contributes to strengthening the partnership with the family, reducing the psychological trauma of the child, and increasing the effectiveness of the treatment process. It is advisable to introduce systematic training for medical specialists to develop communicative and emotional and ethical competencies, thereby ensuring further improvement in humanistic-oriented surgical care for children.
No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Keywords: humanistic approach, pediatric surgery, professional activity, ethical competence, communication, empathy, psychological support, medical ethics.
REFERENCES
1. Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 8th ed. Oxford University Press.
2. Benner P. (2001). From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. Prentice Hall.
3. Bezgin S, Hüzmeli İ, Katayıfçı N, Yıldırım BA, Atıcı A. (2025). Use of virtual reality in children undergoing surgery. Front Pediatr. 13: 1633310. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1633310; PMid:40740824 PMCid:PMC12307433
4. Bilous OM. (2020). Humanistic foundations of medical ethics. Kyiv: Medicine. [Білоус ОМ. (2020). Гуманістичні засади медичної етики. Київ: Медицина.
5. Cassell EJ. (2004). The Nature of Suffering and the Goals of Medicine. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195156164.001.0001
6. Dubinina VO, Ksonz IV, Bilash SM, Abyzova LV, Bilanov OS, Ksonz VI. (2023). Axiological dimensions of medical deontology in pediatric surgery. Paediatric Surgery (Ukraine). 4(81): 108-113. https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2023.81.108
7. Epstein RM, Street RL. (2011). The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care. Annals of Family Medicine. 9(2): 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1239; PMid:21403134 PMCid:PMC3056855
8. European Society of Pediatric Surgeons. (2022). Ethical Guidelines for Pediatric Surgery Practice. ESPES Guidelines.
9. Fedchyshyn N, Brinkmann M. (2026). Content component of psychological and pedagogical training of future physicians in higher education institutions. Medical Education. 1: 103-108. https://doi.org/10.11603/m.2414-5998.2026.1.16039
10. Frankl VE. (2006). Man's Search for Meaning (translated from English). Kyiv: KM-Books.
11. Hojat M. (2016). Empathy in Health Professions Education and Patient Care. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27625-0
12. Kravchenko IV. (2022). The humanistic approach in training future doctors. Medical Education. 1: 45-50.
13. Leshchenko NM. (2020). Developing empathy in future doctors as part of a humanistic approach. Pedagogical Almanac. 46: 122-127.
14. Morse JM, Bottorff J, Anderson G, O'Brien B, Solberg S. (2006). Beyond empathy: Expanding expressions of caring. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 53(1): 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03677.x; PMid:16422694
15. Parkhomenko LO. (2019). Ethical principles of medical practice: the humanistic aspect. Philosophy of Education. 2: 112-118.
16. Pellegrino ED, Thomasma DC. (1993). The Virtues in Medical Practice. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195082890.001.0001; PMCid:PMC6576597
17. Ponomarenko OM. (2021). Ethics and deontology in medicine: a textbook. Kharkiv: Kharkiv National Medical University.
18. Power N, Franck L. (2008). Parent participation in the care of hospitalized children: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs. 62(6): 622-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04643.x; PMid:18503645
19. Shevchenko TS. (2020). Communicative competence of a doctor as a component of a humanistic approach. Actual problems of psychology. 15(2): 34-39.
20. Soroka VM. (2021). Psychological interaction between a pediatric surgeon and a patient and their family. Problems of Modern Psychology. 3: 56-62.
21. Sydorenko GP. (2018). Medical humanism in the context of professional culture of a doctor. Scientific Bulletin of Bogomolets National Medical University. 4: 77-82.
22. Todres L, Galvin KT, Holloway I. (2009). The humanization of healthcare: A value framework for qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. 4(2): 68-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482620802646204
23. World Medical Association. (2013). WMA Declaration of Geneva: The Physician's Pledge. World Medical Association.
24. Zub LP. (2017). Humanistic guidelines for professional training of doctors in modern conditions. Pedagogical Sciences. 72: 144-150.
