Patient dignity and its related factors in heart failure patients

Nurs Ethics. 2012 May;19(3):316-27. doi: 10.1177/0969733011425970. Epub 2012 Feb 20.

Abstract

Maintenance and promotion of patient dignity is an ethical responsibility of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to investigate patient dignity and related factors in patients with heart failure. In this qualitative study, 22 patients with heart failure were chosen by purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. Factors related to patient dignity were divided into two main categories: patient/care index and resources. Intrapersonal features (inherent characteristics and individual beliefs) and interpersonal interactions (communication, respect, enough information, privacy, and authority) were classified as components of the patient/care index category. Human resources (management and staff) and environmental resources (facilities and physical space) were classified as components of the resources category. The results will increase healthcare staff's understanding of patient dignity and its related factors, and provide information regarding the development of systems and processes that support patients in ways that are consistent with these values.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cultural Competency / ethics
  • Empathy / ethics*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / psychology*
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse Administrators / ethics
  • Nurse Administrators / standards
  • Nurse-Patient Relations / ethics*
  • Nursing Care / ethics*
  • Nursing Care / standards
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Personhood*
  • Privacy / psychology
  • Qualitative Research
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors