Dignity in Care
Imran · ·
Imran · ·
Chochinov HM, Hack T, Hassard T, Kristjanson LJ, McClement S, Harlos M. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(24):5520-5525. FREE
This article describes Dignity Therapy, a novel therapeutic intervention for suffering and distress at the end of life. This form of therapy honours the stories, thoughts and feelings of a vulnerable, dying person. The article discusses the extraordinary impact this can have on the dying patient’s sense of dignity, quality of life and spiritual well being.
Imran · ·
Chochinov HM. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006;56(2):84-103. FREE
Existential suffering is related to hopelessness, burden to others, loss of sense of dignity, and desire for death or loss of will to live. This review article focuses on the skills clinicians need to recognize and compassionately address the psychosocial, existential, and spiritual aspects of the patient’s dying experience. The Dignity Model is reviewed, as well as therapeutic responses to the vulnerability and challenges facing persons nearing the end of life.
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McClement S, Chochinov HM, Hack T, Hassard T, Kristjanson LJ, Harlos M. J Palliat Med. 2007 Oct;10(5):1076-82.
This study describes the impact of Dignity Therapy on family members of patients who had taken part. They describe Dignity Therapy as something that helped their deceased loved ones prepare for death, and report that it also helped the family in their grieving process.
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Chochinov HM, Hack T, McClement S, Kristjanson L, Harlos M. Soc Sci Med. 2002;54(3):433-443.
This was one of the first studies to actually ask terminally ill patients to explain their understanding of the term ‘dignity.’ Based on their answers, the research team developed a model of dignity in the terminally ill. This model provides a broad framework for care targeting physical, psychological, existential and spiritual distress.