Recommendations from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology to advance the humanization in cancer care

Humanization in cancer care is increasingly recognized as a core component of healthcare quality, yet its implementation in clinical practice remains uneven. To address this gap, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) developed a humanization protocol to guide its integration into routine oncology care. Based on a review of scientific literature, including clinical guidelines and documents from scientific societies, together with a SEOM survey of medical oncologists, the recommendations are organized around four domains: people, processes, spaces, and society. For each domain, practical and adaptable measures are proposed, ranging from communication and shared decision-making to care coordination, the design of healthcare environments, professional well-being, and community engagement. A cross-cutting person-centered approach, combined with regular evaluation using patient-experience and professional well-being indicators, may support the integration of humanization into routine cancer care.