Human dignity research in clinical practice – a systematic literature review

Abstract

Human dignity research in clinical practicea systematic literature review Background: This literature study describes caring science research on human dignity in different clinical practice. We already know a good deal about human dignity in nursing care but how do patients, nurses, healthcare professionals and next of kin experience human dignity in clinical practice? Aim: To summarise studies on human dignity to gain a deeper understanding of how it can be achieved in caring science research and to gain a broader understanding of the differences and similarities across caring contexts. The aim was also to gain a broader understanding of the differences and similarities of human dignity across different clinical practice. Method: The literature review re-analysed 28 empirical studies on human dignity are experienced from acute, psychiatric, elderly and rehabilitation care. The data analysis strategy was conducted in a systematic and critical way and consisted of a five-step method.Result: Maintaining dignity was described when caregivers had the time and the will to see and listen to patient and had the courage to see what they did not want to see, allowing their inner powers to act with the purpose of doing good. In elderly care, it was important that elderly persons are involved as members of society and experience respect, confidence, security and charity. Indignity was described when caregivers did not allow patients to have their will and when they had unethical attitudes, ignoring patients and creating powerlessness. The feeling of being abandoned and not being taken seriously are also described in elderly care. Conclusion: Findings show how caregivers fulfil their ethical responsibility by seeing, listening and being a part of the time and place. The will to do good includes the courage to preserve dignity and human value rests on being created as a human being. More research is needed about ethical and moral responsibility in clinical practice.

Understanding the Course of Critical Illness Through a Lifeworld Approach

“…The significance of being able to reveal their personalities, like through using humor, made them feel seen and met as unique individuals. In accordance with our findings, to be valued as a unique individual, and being seen, believed in, and listened to is also highlighted in a review of Nordic research on dignity in health care settings ( Lindwall & Lohne, 2020 ). From a health professional’s viewpoint, this may be illuminated by what Todres et al (2014) calls “caring for insiderness,” which illustrates how health care professionals must strive for understanding the insider perspective of the patients.…”

Dignity at stake – Relatives' experiences of influencing dignified care in nursing homes

“…Lindwall and Lohne [10] describe indignity as related to ignoring the needs of residents and points out that indignity in the care of older persons involves unethical attitudes on the part of the caregiver. This study, however, nuances this understanding when unethical attitudes among health personnel are rarely emphasized.…”

“…This process is based on opportunities to be involved in decisions about oneself and is con rmed in interaction with signi cant others [8]. Although the dignity of residents is recognized as an essential component when health personnel conceptualize the importance of high-quality services in nursing homes (NH) [9], this has been questioned in various contexts [2,10]. Most recently, questions have been raised during the COVID-19 pandemic, when relatives where denied access to NH and thus prohibited from controlling dignity and advocating for the residents' rights to optimal healthcare [11].…”

Privacy, or the Lack Thereof, and Its Implications for Dignity in Mobile COVID-19 Testing

“…With relatively simple interventions, such as privacy screens, health care providers can enhance the public’s trust in a time when that trust was eroded due to confusing guidance and misinformation as the world struggled to understand this novel virus. The privacy screens are the physical symbol of the authentic engagement that the CRRT team members brought to each interaction however brief they were ( Lindwall & Lohne, 2020 ; Stanley et al., 2020 ). The CRRT provides a model for how an interdisciplinary team of public health practitioners can respond rapidly and nimbly to the public need, while remaining authentic to our values: specifically, those regarding patient dignity.…”

“…With relatively simple interventions, such as privacy screens, health care providers can enhance the public's trust in a time when that trust was eroded due to confusing guidance and misinformation as the world struggled to understand this novel virus. The privacy screens are the physical symbol of the authentic engagement that the CRRT team members brought to each interaction however brief they were (Lindwall & Lohne, 2020;Stanley et al, 2020).…”