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Sailian SD, Salifu Y, Preston N. Dignity enhanced through faith & family support in palliative care: a qualitative study. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:142. [PMID: 38849809 PMCID: PMC11157805 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01478-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dignity is integral to palliative care. Illness can diminish it, causing hopelessness and the wish to hasten death. Yet, dignity is a complex multidimensional phenomenon, influenced by values and context. Understanding its varying interpretations can inform practice and policy. The aim of the study is to explore the understanding of dignity in adult patients with palliative care needs from a Lebanese perspective and how it is preserved during illness and while receiving health services. DESIGN Qualitative interview study underpinned with a social constructionist lens. Fourteen patients recruited from home-based hospice and outpatient clinics in Lebanon. Data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were developed across all the interviews: (a) Dignity anchored through faith in God and religious practices; (b) Family support in maintaining physical, psychological wellbeing, and social connectedness; (c) Physical fitness, mental acuity, and healthy appearance through which patients may escape the stigma of disease, (d) accessible, equitable, and compassionate healthcare. DISCUSSION Dignity is elusive and difficult to define but faith and religious beliefs play a significant contribution in this study. For the participants, illness is seen as a natural part of life that does not necessarily diminish dignity, but it is the illness related changes that potentially affect dignity. Findings show the importance of family and children in preserving dignity during illness and how their active presence provide a sense of pride and identity. Participants aspired to restore physical, social, and mental well-being to reclaim their dignity and normalize their lives. Challenges related to physical appearance, memory loss, vitality, and social stigma associated with illness diminished dignity. Accessible, equitable and compassionate healthcare services are also crucial in preserving dignity. Participants valued clear communication, respect, and empathy from healthcare providers and identified affordability of care essential for maintaining dignity. CONCLUSION Faith in God, and strong family ties are dominant elements to maintaining dignity in the Lebanese context. Relational connectedness with family, children or God is also a need in maintaining dignity in other communal countries with variations in emphasis. The study indicates that religious and cultural context shapes the needs and perceptions of dignity during illness. These findings are likely to be transferable to many Middle Eastern countries but also countries with strong religious and family ties globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silva Dakessian Sailian
- American University of Beirut, Hariri School of Nursing, Riad El Solh, PO Box: 11 0236, Beirut, 1107, 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Yakubu Salifu
- International Observatory on End-of-Life Care, Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Nancy Preston
- International Observatory on End-of-Life Care, Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
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Chua KZY, Quah ELY, Lim YX, Goh CK, Lim J, Wan DWJ, Ong SM, Chong CS, Yeo KZG, Goh LSH, See RM, Lee ASI, Ong YT, Chiam M, Ong EK, Zhou JX, Lim C, Ong SYK, Krishna L. A systematic scoping review on patients' perceptions of dignity. Palliat Care 2022; 21:118. [PMID: 35787278 PMCID: PMC9251939 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A socioculturally appropriate appreciation of dignity is pivotal to the effective provision of care for dying patients. Yet concepts of dignity remain poorly defined. To address this gap in understanding and enhance dignity conserving end-of-life care, a review of current concepts of dignity is proposed. Methods To address its primary research question “How do patients conceive the concept of dignity at the end of life?”, this review appraises regnant concepts and influences of dignity, and evaluates current dignity conserving practices. To enhance accountability, transparency and reproducibility, this review employs the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) as its theoretical lens to guide a Systematic Evidence Based Approach guided Systematic Scoping Review (SSR in SEBA) of patient perspectives of dignity. Three independent teams of reviewers independently analysed included articles from a structured search of PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane Databases using thematic and content analyses. The themes and categories identified were compared and combined using the Funnelling Process to create domains that guide the discussion that follows. Results Seventy-eight thousand five hundred seventy-five abstracts were identified, 645 articles were reviewed, and 127 articles were included. The three domains identified were definitions of dignity, influences upon perceptions of dignity, and dignity conserving care. Conclusions This SSR in SEBA affirms the notion that dignity is intimately entwined with self-concepts of personhood and that effective dignity conserving measures at the end of life must be guided by the patient’s concept of dignity. This SSR in SEBA posits that such personalised culturally sensitive, and timely support of patients, their family and loved ones may be possible through the early and longitudinal application of a RToP based tool. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-01004-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Zi Yuan Chua
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Elaine Li Ying Quah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Yun Xue Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Chloe Keyi Goh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Jieyu Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Darius Wei Jun Wan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Simone Meiqi Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Chi Sum Chong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Kennan Zhi Guang Yeo
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Laura Shih Hui Goh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Ray Meng See
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Alexia Sze Inn Lee
- Division of Cancer Education, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Yun Ting Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Min Chiam
- Division of Cancer Education, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Eng Koon Ong
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Division of Cancer Education, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, 8 College Rd, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Jamie Xuelian Zhou
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, 8 College Rd, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Crystal Lim
- Medical Social Services, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Rd, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Simon Yew Kuang Ong
- Division of Cancer Education, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, 8 College Rd, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Lalit Krishna
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore. .,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore. .,Division of Cancer Education, 11 Hospital Crescent, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, 8 College Rd, Singapore, 169857, Singapore. .,Academic Palliative Care Unit, United Kingdom Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, University of Liverpool, 200 London Rd, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK. .,Centre of Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore, 119077, Singapore. .,The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, PalC c/o Dover Park Hospice, 10 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308436, Singapore.
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