A systematic scoping review on patients' perceptions of dignity

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Research
• End-of-Life Studies
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Socioculturally appropriate dignity is essential for effective end-of-life care.
• Current concepts of dignity in dying patients are poorly defined.
• A review of dignity concepts is needed to enhance care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how patients perceive dignity at the end of life.
• To evaluate current dignity-conserving practices.
• To identify influences on dignity perceptions.

Main Methods:

• A Systematic Scoping Review in a Systematic Evidence Based Approach (SSR in SEBA) was conducted.
• The Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) provided the theoretical framework.
• Thematic and content analyses were performed on 127 included articles.

Main Results:

• Three key domains emerged: definitions of dignity, influences on dignity perceptions, and dignity-conserving care.
• Patient perspectives on dignity were synthesized.
• Influences impacting dignity were identified.

Conclusions:

• Dignity is intrinsically linked to self-concepts of personhood.
• Effective end-of-life care must be guided by the patient's unique concept of dignity.
• A RToP-based tool may facilitate personalized, culturally sensitive support for patients and families.