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

AIMS

To synthesize and evaluate the psychometric properties of self-report instruments that measure patient dignity.

DESIGN

A psychometric systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive search of studies published from inception until February 17, 2022, was performed using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus.

REVIEW METHODS

The methodological quality of the psychometric studies was evaluated following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

RESULTS

Eleven self-report instruments that evaluate dignity were identified. For most instruments, psychometric properties, including reliability, cross-cultural validity, responsiveness, and measurement error, had not been adequately examined. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), the Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale (JADS), and the Inpatient Dignity Scale (IPDS) had acceptable content validity, structure validity, and internal consistency to measure dignity among adult patients under palliative care, community-dwelling older adults, and inpatients receiving daily care.

CONCLUSION

The PDI, the JADS, and the IPDS are recommended for future clinical practice and research to measure dignity among adult patients under palliative care, community-dwelling older adults, and inpatients receiving daily care. Early identification of patients' dignity-related problems in nursing care can prevent negative health outcomes and help develop a timely intervention to promote patients' health and recovery.

IMPACT

Given that the psychometric properties of the existing self-report dignity instruments have not been systematically assessed, the present review utilized comprehensive methods according to COSMIN to evaluate and determine the most appropriate measure for research and practice. The PDI, the JADS, and the IPDS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and are, thus, recommended for clinical and research applications. Nursing professionals can employ these instruments to assess and promptly identify dignity issues among both young and older adults in hospitals and communities.

Helping Relationships From Significant Others Scale: Chinese Version

Using the helping relationships from significant others (HRSO) scale assists patients, such as those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in adopting a healthy lifestyle to decelerate disease progression, complications, and mortality. To study the efficacy of the scale, we recruited a convenience sample (n = 250) of patients with CKD from a nephrology clinic in southern Taiwan. Principal axis factor analysis and a promax rotation revealed a 15-item, three-factor explanation of 68.44 % of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit. The Composite reliability was .91, .89, and .92 in the same factors. Cronbach's alpha was .90 for the 15-item scale, with the 3 subscales ranging from .86 to .91. The split reliability was .73. The HRSO is a valid and reliable scale to measure significant others' support of patients with CKD in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Development of the Adherence to Healthy Behaviors Scale

Adherence to healthy behaviors is a protective factor in the disease progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Measuring adherence can lead to the recognition of unhealthy behaviors and the suggestion of programs to prevent poor health outcomes. An assessment measurement for patients with CKD not requiring dialysis was developed and psychometrically tested. A convenience sample (n = 330) of patients with CKD attending a nephrology clinic in southern Taiwan completed the 13-item Adherence to Healthy Behaviors Scale (AHBS). A principal axis factor analysis and a parallel analysis demonstrated a three-factor structure accounting for 47.16% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit. The criterion-related validity was adequate (r = .51; p < .000), with a Cronbach's alpha of .70; the test-retest reliability demonstrated good stability (r = .70; p < .000). The AHBS is a valid, reliable instrument to assess adherence to healthy behaviors among patients with CKD.

Self-Management Behaviors in Relation to Psychological Factors and Interdialytic Weight Gain Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Indonesia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence of demographic and psychological factors on self-management behaviors and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) as a fluid adherence marker among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Indonesia.

DESIGN

A quantitative correlational study.

METHOD

A convenience sample of 145 patients undergoing hemodialysis was recruited from the dialysis units in two hospitals in Jakarta from September to December 2015. Questionnaires were used to examine self-management behaviors, depression, anxiety, and stress. Data for IDWG were obtained by subtracting the individual's predialysis weight from his or her postdialysis weight from the previous session. Hierarchical multiple linear regression identified the predictors of IDWG.

RESULTS

Self-advocacy was ranked the least performed self-management behavior, while medication adherence was ranked the most likely to be performed. Among the subscales of the Self-Management Behavior Indices, positive correlations were found between the communication dimension with all psychological factors (depression, anxiety, and stress), while self-advocacy had positive correlation with anxiety. Subjects gained a mean of 4.5% of their postdialysis weight, with over 50% exceeding the recommended 4% IDWG. Overall, 53.6% of the IDWG was explained by the weekly duration of hemodialysis, level of depression, communication, partnership in care, and self-advocacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-management behaviors are potential predictors that can be modified by nephrology nurses in order to enhance clinical outcomes, with the specific outcome being IDWG. Self-management behaviors contribute to the promotion of appropriate IDWG. Depressed patients are less likely to adhere to weight gain restrictions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Education combined with training in self-management behaviors-particularly communication, becoming a partner in care, and advocating for care-may improve adherence to IDWG guidelines among Indonesian hemodialysis patients. Interventions targeting depressed patients are needed.