Self-report instruments for measuring patient dignity: A psychometric systematic review

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Research
• Psychometric Evaluation
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Patient dignity is a crucial aspect of care, yet validated self-report instruments for its measurement are scarce.
• Systematic evaluation of existing instruments' psychometric properties is needed to ensure reliable assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a psychometric systematic review of self-report instruments measuring patient dignity.
• To identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of these instruments using rigorous standards.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic search of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus) was conducted.
• Methodological quality of included psychometric studies was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Eleven self-report dignity instruments were identified; most lacked adequate psychometric property examination.
• The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale (JADS), and Inpatient Dignity Scale (IPDS) demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability.
• These three instruments are suitable for measuring dignity in palliative care, community-dwelling older adults, and inpatients.

Conclusions:

• The PDI, JADS, and IPDS are recommended for clinical practice and research due to their satisfactory psychometric properties.
• Utilizing these instruments can facilitate early identification of dignity-related issues, preventing negative health outcomes.
• Nursing professionals can use these validated tools to promptly assess and address dignity concerns in diverse patient populations.