The transformations that have arisen in the social conditions of work over recent decades have restricted contact between the medical professional and the patient, leading to a fragmented and dehumanized health care. This need gave rise to the Recrutas da Alegria (RA - Recruits of Happiness) program at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), with the idea of "training a different professional" in order to horizontalize relations with hospital staff and the patients' approach. The RA is promoted by FURG courses in the area of health and is an outreach initiative. The activities are developed in the Pediatric Wing of the Dr. Miguel Riet Corrêa Júnior Teaching Hospital. This experience has demonstrated that humanization is not a one-off occurrence, it does not occur in just one environment, but rather constitutes behaviours and attitudes reflected in students' work. The program enables students to question the role of the doctor and of the student doctor, as well as focusing on patient's histories that extend beyond their medical history, understanding the patient fully.
Humanism; Qualitative Research; Medical Education