By Esther Espuñes, EORNA President
Last week, I reflected on leadership and the responsibility of perioperative nurses to shape the future of healthcare. But behind every procedure, protocol and outcome, there is a person. This week, I want to bring the patient—and those who care for them—back to the centre of the surgical journey.
Surgery takes place in a high-technology environment, where robotics, advanced equipment and artificial intelligence are transforming care. Yet technology should never distance us from the human experience. Humanising care means combining technological excellence with empathy, dignity and connection.
Creating a culture of humanisation requires more than good intentions. It means creating comfortable, welcoming and reassuring environments, respecting privacy, listening to patients and involving them in decisions about their care. It also means using technology thoughtfully—for example, patient tracking systems that provide families with timely information and reduce the anxiety and uncertainty of waiting.
But humanisation has another essential dimension: caring for those who care.
Creating healthy working environments, fostering a positive workplace climate and supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of healthcare professionals are fundamental to high-quality care. A professional who feels valued, supported and motivated is more likely to engage in continuous learning, develop their skills and deliver compassionate, safe and high-quality care.
We cannot humanise care for patients without humanising the workplace for those who provide it.
Perioperative nurses are uniquely positioned to connect technology, clinical excellence and human care. As we continue to transform surgery, we must ensure that progress never comes at the expense of human connection.
The future of perioperative care must be both technologically advanced and deeply human—for patients and for those who care for them.
Next week, I will pause and reflect on the journey we have taken together: What Have We Learned About Patient Safety?
