Organizational silence and hidden threats to patients' dignity with schizophrenia: A qualitative study

Maintaining patients' dignity is a key ethical requirement in healthcare and is emphasized in nursing standards. This issue is particularly significant for patients with schizophrenia because they face unique challenges such as physical and psychological difficulties, dependence on others, and social isolation, making them more vulnerable. Organizational factors can either threaten or preserve their dignity. However, there is little knowledge in this domain within the sociocultural context of Iran.

This study aimed to explore the role of the healthcare organization in the dignity of patients with schizophrenia, based on the opinions of patients, healthcare personnel, and family caregivers.

This qualitative study was conducted with 26 participants (16 patients, 4 family caregivers, 2 nurses, 3 psychologists, and 1 service worker) who were selected using a purposeful sampling method. The data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed via Graneheim and Lundman's method.

The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (IR.UMSU.REC.1401.099).

Based on data analysis, participants reported the three following challenges as organizational hidden threats to patients' dignity: "Lack of facilities," "premature management," and "ineffective communication."

The study findings indicated that the healthcare organization does not support the dignity of patients. Management inefficiency and lack of facilities are evident in psychiatric hospitals, and healthcare centers are not monitored based on standard criteria. Limited interactions between healthcare personnel and patients were identified as the main reasons for the neglect of patients with schizophrenia and the violation of their dignity. The results of this study can help healthcare policymakers in designing and implementing effective programs to preserve the dignity of patients with schizophrenia.