BACKGROUND: communication is the fundamental basis of interpersonal relationship and it can be verbal or non-verbal. Non-verbal communication completes, contradicts or substitutes verbal communication, improving the perception of the patient as a subject and humanizing health services. PURPOSE: to conduct a bibliographical review on the use and knowledge of non-verbal communication by health professionals. CONCLUSION: although the articles emphasize the relevance concerning the knowledge of non-verbal communication in order to improve the perception of the patient as a subject and humanizing health services, many health professionals and students from this area showed little academic and professional knowledge on this communication mean.
Nonverbal Communication; Health Personnel; Humanization of Assistance