Understanding patient and staff perspectives on dignified rehabilitation care experiences

PURPOSE

Dignity in healthcare significantly impacts patient satisfaction and care personalisation. This study explores dignity from the perspectives of patients and staff in an inpatient rehabilitation unit, addressing the challenges of undignified care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a Generative Co-design Framework for Healthcare Innovation, specifically reporting on the pre-design phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients and 20 staff members over approximately 5 months. Patient interviews occurred during hospitalisation and post-discharge.

RESULTS

Dignity was experienced through interactions influenced by people, infrastructure, and policies. Participants defined dignity as being acknowledged and respected as people, or the acknowledgement of personhood. Positive dignified experiences were reported, but some patients reported undignified, but necessary care activities. Staff and patients highlighted the need for flexible, person-centred policies. Practices enhancing dignity included validating patient choices, respecting privacy, and ensuring informed decision-making. Despite some systemic challenges, staff showed a strong commitment to dignified care.

CONCLUSIONS

Dignity is challenging to define. Rehabilitation units and health systems more broadly should cultivate more responsive care interfaces, through flexible, person-centred policies, prioritising and hiring staff with disability aware attitudes, and embedding dignity into the organisational culture.

Dignified care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at public hospitals, in Sidama Regional State, southern Ethiopia, 2023

BACKGROUND

Dignified care is an important priority for childbearing mothers. Threats to this deteriorate the therapeutic relationship between healthcare providers and clients, which leads to a negative effect on the quality of care. However, little evidence is identified about dignified care and associated factors in the Ethiopian context. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dignified care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Sidama Regional States, southern Ethiopia, 2023.

METHOD

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Sidama Regional States from July 30 to August 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used, and the data was collected by Kobotool and analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted, and the crude and adjusted odds ratios, together with their corresponding 95% confidence, were computed. A P value < 0.05 was considered a level of statistical significance in this study.

RESULTS

In this study, the overall study participants' magnitude of dignified care was found to be 44.1%. Secondary education (AOR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.56, 9.82), spontaneous vaginal delivery (AOR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.31, 5.46), the presence of a companion during labor and delivery (AOR: 12.35, 95% CI : 7.08, 21.53), and less than two days hospital stay (AOR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.37, 7.75), and midwife attendance of labour and delivery (AOR = 4.47 (1.40-14.25) were significantly associated with dignified care.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study showed that the dignified care of mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Sidama Regional State was relatively low to the pooled prevalence of respectful maternity care in Ethiopia. In light of these results, it is recommended to prioritize midwife attendance during labor and delivery, promote the presence of companions, facilitate a shorter hospital stay, and enhance educational opportunities.

Defining dignity at the intersection of disability: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This scoping literature review aimed to determine the definition of dignity in relation to disability. It also examined the extent to which inclusive research methods have been used to develop working definitions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in five electronic databases, using a modified framework by Arksey and O'Malley. Narrative synthesis and qualitative content analysis were employed to examine definitions of dignity and the use of inclusive research methods.

RESULTS

22 peer-reviewed studies were included. The majority of the studies were qualitative (72.72%) and examined various disability populations in diverse settings. Although 19 studies offered a definition of dignity, there was no clear consensus. Dignity was frequently defined from a utilitarian perspective, emphasising affordances and barriers. However, engagement with theoretical constructs was superficial and limited. Further, no studies mentioned the use of inclusive research methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of inclusive research methods hinders the development of a comprehensive definition of dignity that is accepted by and relevant to people with disability. Engaging with both theoretical and empirical perspectives of dignity is crucial to develop a meaningful and inclusive definition, which can inform interventions and policies that enhance dignity for people with disability across diverse settings and contexts.

Self-reported dignity and factors that influence dignity in hospitalised older adults: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

This study examined levels of self-reported dignity and explored factors expected to influence dignity experienced by older adults during acute hospitalisation in Ghana.

BACKGROUND

Dignified care has been recognised as inseparable from quality nursing care and maintaining patients' dignity has been highlighted in professional codes of conduct for nurses. However, there is a lack of research on self-reported dignity and the factors that influence the dignity of older adults during acute hospitalisation in Africa.

SETTING

A large teaching hospital in the northern region of Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS

Hospitalised older adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data from a convenience sample of 270 older inpatients, using the Hospitalized Older Adults' Dignity Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and stepwise ordinal logistic regression to investigate stratified dignity outcomes. The study was reported following the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

More than half of the older adults surveyed reported low to moderate levels of dignity. Demographic characteristics such as age, marital status, religious status, occupation, level of education and type of hospital ward did not show any significant associations with dignity levels. However, there was a significant association found between dignity levels and sex and the number of hospitalisations.

CONCLUSION

Most older adults in a Ghanian hospital experienced loss of dignity during their acute hospitalisation. Male older adults reported higher dignity levels during acute hospitalisation than their female counterparts. Further, older adults who were admitted to hospital for the second time reported less dignity compared to those admitted three or more times.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The results emphasise the importance of healthcare professionals having the necessary knowledge and skills to provide gender-sensitive care, which ultimately promotes the dignity of all patients. Additionally, the results underscore the urgency of implementing measures that guarantee patients' dignity during all hospital admissions.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Survey questionnaires were completed by hospitalised older adults at the study setting.

Development and psychometric validation of the hospitalized older adults' dignity scale for measuring dignity during acute hospitalization

AIM

To develop and validate a culturally appropriate patient-reported outcome measure for measuring dignity for older adults during acute hospitalization.

DESIGN

A three-phased exploratory sequential mixed-method design was used.

METHODS

Domains were identified and items were generated from findings of a recent qualitative study, two systematic reviews and grey literature. Content validity evaluation and pre-testing were undertaken using standard instrument development techniques. Two-hundred and seventy hospitalized older adults were surveyed to test construct and convergent validity, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability of the measure. Analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. The STROBE checklist was used to document reporting of the study.

RESULTS

We established the 15-item Hospitalized Older Adults' Dignity Scale (HOADS) that has a 5-factor structure: shared decision-making (3 items); healthcare professional-patient communication (3 items); patient autonomy (4 items); patient privacy (2 items); respectful care (3 items). Excellent content validity, adequate construct and convergent validity, acceptable internal consistency reliability and good test-retest reliability were demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

We established the HOADS is a valid and reliable scale to measure dignity for older adults during acute hospitalization. Future studies using confirmatory factor analysis are needed to corroborate the dimensionality of the factor structure and external validity of the scale. Routine use of the scale may inform the development of strategies to improve dignity-related care in the future.

IMPACT

The development and validation of the HOADS will provide nurses and other healthcare professionals with a feasible and reliable scale for measuring older adults' dignity during acute hospitalization. The HOADS advances the conceptual understanding of dignity in hospitalized older adults by including additional constructs that have not been captured in previous dignity-related measures for older adults (i.e. shared decision-making and respectful care). The factor structure of the HOADS, therefore, includes five domains of dignity and offers a new opportunity for nurses and other healthcare professionals to better understand the nuances of dignity for older adults during acute hospitalization. For example, the HOADS enables nurses to identify differences in levels of dignity based on contextual factors and to use this information to guide the implementation of strategies that promote dignified care.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients were involved in the generation of items for the scale. Their perspectives and the perspectives of experts were sought in determining the relevance of each item of the scale to patients' dignity.

Methodological quality of dignity-related patient reported outcome measures used in acute hospital settings: A systematic review using the COSMIN methodology

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the methodological quality of dignity-related patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to measure patients' dignity during acute hospitalisation using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology for systematic review of PROMs.

BACKGROUND

Previous scoping review studies on the methodological quality of dignity-related PROMs lack specificity for dignity during acute hospital admission. They included PROMs that were developed to measure constructs of care other than patient dignity or designed to measure dignity in contexts outside of the acute hospital setting.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review based on COSMIN methodology.

METHODS

A systematic search was undertaken using five databases (CINAHL Complete, Medline Complete, EMBASE, PsycINFo and AgeLine) for articles published between 2000 and 2022. Relevant papers were identified using strict adherence to eligibility criteria, and studies that included development of dignity-related PROMs for use in acute hospital settings were selected. Two reviewers independently screened the identified papers, extracted data and examined the quality of studies.

RESULTS

Six papers met the inclusion criteria. Two PROMs, the 25-item Patient Dignity Inventory and the 34-item Inpatient Dignity Scale, met the COSMIN quality criteria because of their sufficient quality of evidence for content validity and reliable internal consistency. None of the PROMs met the quality criteria for assessment of measurement error, criterion validity, cross-cultural validity and responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the Patient Dignity Inventory and the Inpatient Dignity Scale as the PROMs of choice for evaluating patients' dignity and/or dignified care during acute hospital admissions. These PROMs were developed using robust procedures with sufficient overall quality for content validity, internal consistency reliability and other measurement properties, and with moderate to high quality of evidence for these measurement properties. Researchers and clinicians who wish to use other dignity-related PROMs identified in this review should consider the methodological limitations of these PROMs, as highlighted in the present systematic review.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The review findings will guide healthcare professionals about their choice of patient reported outcome measures for evaluating patients' dignity or dignified care during acute hospitalisation.

A systematic review of patient-reported dignity and dignified care during acute hospital admission

AIMS

To synthesize quantitative evidence on levels of dignity during acute hospital admission and identify barriers and facilitators to patients' dignity or dignified care from the perspective of hospitalized patients. The secondary aim was to examine the relationship between dignity and demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics of patients.

DESIGN

A systematic review based on the protocol of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline for reporting systematic reviews.

DATA SOURCES

Five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, AgeLine) were searched in February 2021, followed by backward-forward searching using Web of Science and Scopus databases.

REVIEW METHODS

Potentially eligible articles were scrutinized by two reviewers. Articles that met the eligibility criteria were appraised for quality using the Critical Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. Two reviewers extracted data for the review and resolved differences by consensus.

RESULTS

Out of 3052 potentially eligible studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Levels of dignity for hospitalized patients vary widely across geographic locations. Patients' dignity is upheld when healthcare professionals communicate effectively, maintain their privacy, and provide dignity therapy. Patients' perceptions of dignity were, in some studies, reported to be associated with demographic (e.g. age, marital status, gender, employment, educational status), clinical (e.g. hospitalization, functional impairment, physical symptoms) and psychological (e.g. depression, anxiety, demoralization, coping mechanisms) variables whilst other studies did not observe such associations.

CONCLUSION

Patients in acute care settings experience mild to a severe loss of dignity across different geographic locations. Patients' dignity is influenced by several demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics of patients.

IMPACT

The findings of the review support impetus for improvement in dignified care for hospitalized patients, addressing factors that facilitate or impede patients' dignity. Measures aimed at alleviating suffering, fostering functional independence and addressing patients' psychosocial needs can be used to promote dignity.

The association between frailty and dignity in community-dwelling older people

BACKGROUND

The population of people aged 60 and older is rapidly increasing in developing countries such as Iran due to declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. Old age is associated with increased risk for frailty and reduced dignity. Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by depletion of physical reserves and multiple system disorders, reducing the individual's ability to cope with stressful events. Dignity is an inherent characteristic of human beings and respecting dignity is an ethical principle. This study investigated the association of frailty with dignity among older people in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

This correlational study was conducted on 200 individuals aged 60 years and older. Data collection relied on the Demographic Questionnaire, Frailty Index for Elders (FIFE) and the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI). Data were analyzed with SPSS 25.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 68 ± 5.05 years; 62% of the participants were at risk for frailty, and 69% had few dignity-related problems. The multiple regression results showed that frailty was significantly associated with dignity (ß = 0.571, p < 0.001). The association was significant across all the dimensions of dignity measured by the PDI. The highest predictors of frailty included dependency (ß = 0.584, p < 0.001), followed by existential distress (ß = 0.560, p < 0.001), symptom distress (ß = 0.400, p = 0.400), social support (ß = 0.391, p < 0.001), and peace of mind (ß = 0.338, p < 0.001) in dignity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that higher levels of frailty in older people are associated with decreases in their dignity, and frailty was the leading predictor of dignity. Providers should develop programs to prevent and reduce frailty in those at risk and to enhance the dignity of the already frail.

Dignity and its related factors among older adults in long-term care facilities: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the dignity and related factors among older adults in long-term care facilities.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 253 Chinese older adults dwelling in long-term care facilities. Dignity among older adults was measured using the Dignity Scale, and its potential correlates were explored using multiple linear regressions.

Results

Results showed that the total score of the Dignity Scale is 151.95 ± 11.75. From high to low, the different factors of dignity among older adults in long-term care facilities were as follows: caring factors (4.83 ± 0.33), social factors (4.73 ± 0.41), psychological factors (4.66 ± 0.71), value factors (4.56 ± 0.53), autonomous factors (4.50 ± 0.57), and physical factors (4.38 ± 0.55). A higher score of the Dignity Scale was associated with higher economic status, fewer chronic diseases, less medication, better daily living ability and long-time lived in cities.

Conclusion

Older adults with low economic status, more chronic diseases, and poor daily living ability, taking more medications, or the previous residence in rural areas seem to be most at low-level dignity in long-term care facilities and thus require more attention than their peers.

Dignity of patients with palliative needs in the Middle East: an integrative review

Background

Patients with palliative needs experience high psychological and symptom distress that may lead to hopelessness and impaired sense of dignity. Maintaining patient dignity or the quality of being valued is a core aim in palliative care. The notion of dignity is often explained by functionality, symptom relief and autonomy in decision making. However, this understanding and its implications in Middle Eastern countries is not clear.

The aim of this review is to 1) explore the understanding of dignity and how dignity is preserved in adult patients with palliative care needs in the Middle East 2) critically assess the findings against the Dignity Model dominant in western literature.

Method

Using an integrative review we searched four databases EMBASE, Psych-Info, CINAHL, and PubMed. These databases retrieve a broad literature on palliative care and are often chosen in other palliative care reviews. To enhance the search strategy, three online journals were hand searched, reference lists of review papers scanned, and forward citations sought. No time limits were applied. The retrieved papers were assessed independently by two authors including quality assessment using the Hawker’s appraisal tool.

Results

Out of the 5113 studies retrieved, 294 full texts were assessed. Sixteen studies were included for synthesis of which fourteen were published in Iran. Seven themes were developed after data analysis: Maintaining Privacy and Secrecy; Gentle communication with a dialogue that preserves hope instead of blunt truth-telling; Abundance characterised by accessibility to medical supplies and financial stability; Family Support where relatives deliver major assistance in care; Physical Fitness; Reliable health care, and Social justice that endorses equal care to all.

Conclusion

The results are compatible with the existing evidence from the Dignity Model ascertaining that dignity is socially mediated and influenced by interactions and physical fitness. Nevertheless, the findings highlight that patient dignity is also shaped by the socio-political, cultural, and economic conditions of the country, where family support, gentle communication and accessible health care are essential elements.

How patients with cancer experience dignity: An integrative review

BACKGROUND

A diagnosis of cancer and its treatments can be associated with a prominent issue of loss of dignity or an undermined sense of dignity for patients. Research is increasingly being conducted into how patients with cancer experience dignity, with the aim to build clinical foundations for care that preserves patients' sense of dignity.

AIM

This review summarises and synthesises the available empirical literature on the experience of dignity in patients with cancer regarding both the perception of dignity and associated factors.

METHOD

An integrative review method was used. A literature search was conducted in 11 databases using the search terms 'dignity' OR 'existential' OR 'existentialism' combined with 'cancer'. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2011) was adopted to appraise the methodological quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

Nine qualitative studies and 13 quantitative studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The ways that patients with cancer perceived dignity include autonomy/control, respect, self-worth, family connectedness, acceptance, hope/future and God/religious. Factors associated with dignity include demographics, physical and psychosocial distress, experiences of suffering and coping strategies.

CONCLUSION

Dignity-conserving care should respect patients' human autonomy to strengthen their sense of self-worth, acceptance, hope, reinforce family connectedness, and foster coping strategies to control the physical, psychosocial factors and experience of sufferings that threaten their sense of dignity.

Patient's Dignity: Viewpoints of Patients and Nurses in Hospitals

Much of the available research on perceptions of patient dignity either is qualitative in type or explores them in specific patient groups, such as elderly patients, cancer patients, terminally-ill patients, and adolescent patients. The present study addresses nurses' and adult patients' views on patient dignity. A total of 400 individuals (200 nurses and 200 patients) from 39 internal and surgical units from four hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences participated in the study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient using SPSS v. 23.0. A significant difference between nurses' and patients' points of view was identified in relation to four domains: the importance of privacy (p < 0.001); attention to patient autonomy (p < 0.001); respect for patients (p < 0.001); and communication between nurses and patients (p < 0.001). In order to maintain patients' dignity in practice, nurses must become better acquainted with patients' expectations. The questionnaire assessing respect for patient's dignity developed in the present study is a reliable and valid instrument for this purpose.

Cancer patients’ perspectives on dignity in care

Background:

Since “dignity” is one of the fundamental rights of every patient, consideration for patients’ dignity is essential. Unfortunately, in many cases, especially in cancer patients, dignity is not fully respected. Dignity is an abstract concept, and there are only a few comprehensive studies on the dignity of cancer patients in Iran.

Research objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of Iranian cancer patients on human dignity.

Research design:

A qualitative research approach was used as the study design. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method.

Participants and research context:

 This study was conducted on cancer patients in internal medicine wards in Iran. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews from May 2017 to February 2018.

Ethical considerations:

The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of medical universities located in Southwest of Iran. The ethical principles were carefully followed throughout the study.

Findings:

Based on the results of the interviews, 3 main themes and 11 categories were determined. The main themes were identified as the “personal space and privacy,” “respect for human values,” and “moral support.”

Discussion:

The results of the present study showed the necessity of care for cancer patients in a respectful manner. The key elements in such care were the preservation of their personal space and privacy, respect for their values, and the provision of adequate moral support. These measures will have a positive effect on the perception of such patients on human dignity.

Conclusion:

Considering the special care required by cancer patients, the Iranian healthcare and hygiene managers should design and implement a care plan that includes the ethical principles related to human dignity.

Respectful care of human dignity: how is it perceived by patients and nurses?

OBJECTIVE

Dignified care protects the patient's rights and provides appropriate ethical care while improving the quality of nursing care. In this context, the opinions of nurses and patients who receive nursing care about dignified care are important. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions and experiences of Turkish patients and nurses about respectful care of human dignity.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. Participants were inpatients at cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery clinics and nurses working in these clinics. The data for the study were collected from face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. The percentages of characteristics and preferences of the participants were calculated, and the results were analysed using statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 150 patients and 78 nurses participated in the study. The patients stated that the protection of their rights was the most important factor for dignified nursing care. The nurses stated that being careful to not expose the patients' body and being respectful of the patients' privacy were important in dignified nursing care. The age of the patient, duration of the disease, number of hospitalisations and length of time the nurses had been working at the clinic caused significant changes in the factors considered important in dignified care.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide a perspective on dignified care in the Turkish healthcare setting. There were some differences between patients and nurses in the factors considered important for dignified care. The discussion with patients and nurses related to care and practices that protect or detract from human dignity can provide insights to ethics.

Czech Version of the Patient Dignity Inventory: Translation and Validation in Incurable Patients

CONTEXT

The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) is a valid, reliable screening tool to assess a range of issues that have been reported to affect the sense of dignity in patients with life-limiting conditions.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the item characteristics, factor structure, and reliability of the Czech version of the PDI (PDI-CZ) among cancer and noncancer patients.

METHODS

The PDI was translated into the Czech language following state-of-the-art criteria (a five-stage proceeding method for the translation). Two hundred thirty-nine participants completed the study (136 cancer and 103 noncancer patients). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and factor analysis were used for validation of the PDI-CZ.

RESULTS

A Czech version of the PDI was obtained. The Cronbach's α for PDI-CZ was 0.92. Item 22 (not feeling supported by my health care providers) did not correlate with any other items, and it was skipped for factor analysis processing for this reason. Factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution, accounting for 56.34% of the overall variance (factor loadings range, 0.37-0.92). The factor labels were as follows: loss of purpose of life; loss of autonomy; loss of confidence; and loss of social support (internal consistencies range, Cronbach's α 0.58-0.90). Test-retest reliability was assessed with 25 patients after two weeks. The resulting range of the Gwet's coefficient, AC1, was between 0.58 and 1.00.

CONCLUSION

The results from the study support the reliability of the PDI-CZ and its future use in patients with incurable cancer and noncancer patients.

Levels of Conscience and Related Factors among Iranian Oncology Nurses

BACKGROUND

Having a conscience is one of the main pre-requisite of providing nursing care. The knowledge regarding levels of conscience among nurses in eastern countries is limited. So, the purpose of this study was to examine the level of conscience and its related factors among Iranian oncology nurses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 3 hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. Overall, 68 nurses were selected using a non-probability sampling method. The perceptions of conscience questionnaire was used to identify the levels of conscience among nurses. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0.

RESULTS

The mean nurses' level of conscience scores was 72.7. In the authority and asset sub-scales nurses acquired higher scores. The mean of nurses' scores in burden and depending on culture sub-scales were the least. Also, there were no statistical relationship between some demographic characteristics of participants and their total score on the perceptions of conscience questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

According to study findings Iranian nurses had high levels of conscience. However, understanding all the factors that affect nurses' perception of conscience requires further studies.