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

Abstract

Background: There are several factors that threaten the dignity of cancer patients in hospital settings. However, there is limited literature regarding the degree to which dignity of cancer patients is actually respected in daily clinical practice. The aims of this study were therefore to explore cancer patient perceptions of respecting their dignity and related variables in an Iranian cancer specific center. Materials and Methods: This descriptivecorrelational study was carried out among 250 cancer patients admitted to a cancer specific center in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. These patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The patients' scores in 18 out of 25 items of PDI were 3 or greater which indicate the importance of considering these items in clinical settings. Also, the score of patients in three sub-scales of PDI including illnessrelated concerns, personal dignity, and social dignity were 74, 65 and 57, respectively (based on a total 100). The overall score of PDI was statistically associated with age, history of disease recurrence, education, employment and economic status of participants. Conclusions: According to the study findings the dignity of Iranian cancer patients is not completely respected in clinical settings which require special considerations. As nurses spend more time at patients' bedsides, they have an important role in maintaining and promoting dignified care.

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

“…The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the PDI-CZ was high (0.92) and provides evidence that this 25-item inventory had very good internal consistency. This result suggests appropriate internal consistency among items, in agreement with other published PDI validation studies (Chochinov et al 7 [0.93]; Ripamonti et al 9 [0.96]; Sautier et al 11 [0.96]; Avestan et al 12 [0.92]; and Rull an et al 13 [0.89]). A reliability coefficient range is considered acceptable between 0.7 and 0.9.…”

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

“…The same study showed that age, marital status and time the nurses had worked at the clinic generated a difference in the importance of confidentiality. The findings of Raee et al 9 and Avestan et al 29 revealed that patients’ perception of dignity improved as the patients’ age increased. In a different study, Rassin30 found that new nurses valued human dignity less than senior nurses did.…”

Levels of Conscience and Related Factors among Iranian Oncology Nurses

“…Cancer patients have many physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs and require high quality nursing care (Yeh et al, 1999;Abdollahzadeh et al, 2014;Abbasnezhad et al, 2015;Avestan et al, 2015;Fathollahzade et al, 2015). Cancer patients are very dependent on their caregivers and the low level of consciousness among nurses may leads to negative many negative consequences in them (Hsiao et al, 2011).…”