Nurses’ and patients’ perceptions of dignity

Abstract

It is generally agreed in the nursing literature that the maintenance of patient dignity is an important element of nursing care that is highly valued by patients. Despite this, dignity is seldom defined and there are few guidelines that nurses may use in their practice to safeguard individual patients' dignity. This phenomenological study aimed to uncover patients' and nurses' perceptions of dignity, formulate a definition of dignity based on the experience of patients and nurses, and identify nursing practices that maintain or compromise patient dignity. The study found that the characteristics nurses associated with dignity were many and varied. Important elements in the meaning the nurses ascribed to the notion of patient dignity were the elements of respect, privacy, control, advocacy and time. The themes which emerged from the patient interviews were similar to those which emerged from the interviews with nurses. The characteristics that patients attributed to dignity and its maintenance included respect, privacy, control, choice, humour and matter-of-factness.

Perceptions of Iranian Cancer Patients Regarding Respecting their Dignity in Hospital Settings

“…Providing dignified care also has undeniable effects on health indicators including life expectancy and quality of life (Chochinov et al, 2005). On the other Zoleikha Avestan 1 *, Azad Rahmani 2 , Fatemeh Heshmati-Nabavi 3 , Sima Mogadasian 1 , Safieh Faghani 4 , Arman Azadi 5 , Ali Esfahani 2 hand, violation of patients' dignity may influence their psychological and spiritual status and also adversely affect their cooperation with medical staff (Walsh and Kowanko., 2002).…”

“…However, factors such as change in living environment, unfamiliar setting and dependence on health care workers significantly affect patients' dignity during hospitalization (Walsh and Kowanko., 2002). The three most significant factors that affect patients' dignity include illness-related concerns, personal and social factors.…”

“…Generally, other concepts such as respect, privacy, self-esteem and independence were related to dignity (Haddock., 1996). This complexity has led to many conflicting strategies for maintaining and improving patients' dignity (Walsh andKowanko., 2002, Woogara., 2005). Identifying patients' perception of respectful and dignified care is one the most strategies for further clarification of this concept (Franklin et al, 2006).…”

Enhancing ethical practice and critical reflection by the sTimul experience in a care ethics lab: Evaluation of the sTimul-experience

“…[5,6] Therefore, the concept of dignity is acknowledged as a core aspect of nursing care. [3,7] A review of the literature showed dignity is represented in a variety of words and seems a complex concept with various attributes. Overall, dignity is about empowering patients by enhancing patients' positive identity and recognize and sustain their own, distinct individuality.…”

Draping Education to Promote Patient Dignity: Canadian Physiotherapy Student and Instructor Perceptions

“…42 The experience of health and illness is affected by culture and religion, and a misunderstanding of cultural difference may create obstacles to providing the best possible treatment. 12 Cultural differences related to draping and physical exposure among cultures such as Aboriginal, 45 Chinese, 20 One might surmise from the above discussion that health care professionals assume they have been sufficiently educated in draping techniques during their entry-level education. However, the perceptions of the recipients of that care suggest that this may not be the case.…”