Psychosocial approach in the care of hospitalized adults

: This article shows aspects of the hospitalized patient's psychosocial needs, pointing out how the knowledge of the patient's mental functions aids the nurse to identify disfunctions in this area. In the current structure of the Brazilian health system, which does not value the holistic vision of man, it is difficult for the nurse to give assistance to these aspects. This phenomenon is more subtle than biological aspects and, among other things, demands a lot of time and dedication from the nurse. To be attentive to the patient's psychosocial needs, represents an ethical aspect and the humanization in nursing assistance.