Nurses and patients perceptions of dignity

In all cases, we are expected to treat them with dignity and respect. So I am hoping analyzing this paper would shed more light that could improve our current practices in my theatre environment and the hospital at large. The qualitative paper based on phenomenological study aims to uncover patients' and nurses' perceptions of dignity, formulate a definition of dignity based on the experience of patients and nurses sampled and to establish the themes that maintained or compromised patient dignity. I have used a critiquing tool adapted from Letts et al. (2007) for qualitative studies (see Appendix 1). It is important to weigh the words used in disclosure or explanation of the procedures involved to take care of the patient’s emotions as they could break by the weight of the same.

Nurses should understand that a strong emotional conscience is a key to the healing process of the patient as mentally they are considered prepared. Unwanted stares from others, all of which could give rise to embarrassment or anger or anxiety. Body as object It was also noted the patients should not be seen as an object or diagnosis or body alone but as a person at all times, whether conscious or unconscious, alive or dead – treating the patients with required respect (Baillie and Gallagher, 2011). This is very applicable in my theatre practice, where patients are mostly sedated or anesthetized and we must continue to maintain their dignity at all times. Areas that account for a patient’s environment should be considered as private as well.

Such areas include the patient’s bed area and his/ her bathroom. Accessing such areas should rely upon consent by the patient, adhere are instances of nurses and subordinate staff walking in during procedures. The patient as a person It was held by the nurses that patients should not be objectified as they are animate human beings as they are embodied. The general meaning of this was that patients have all the right to be treated with dignity regardless of the state of mind thy are in during the procedures, either conscious or unconscious, living or deceased. Linking to this fact is the issue of withholding privacy. Most patients were agitated by the fact that there were instances they were exposed to others without having much control of the situation and thus stating that there was a compromise of their dignity.

Being seen as a person It was important that most clients emphasized on the need of their handler to see them as a person by individually recognizing their personality and ordinary protocols. It was the expectation of many of the patients that the body is treated as an embodied being rather than being objectified(Baillie and Gallagher,2012). Examples given were from a patient who described an ordeal in which her body has used a tool for study by medical students. APPENDIX 1 Critical Review Form-Qualitative Studies adapted from Letts, L. , Wilkins, S. , Law, M. , Stewart, D. , Bosch, J. The researchers analyzed the transcribed text and explored themes that Emerged. From this analysis of the actual experiences of the participants, dignity and its Central concepts were defined.

Sampling Briefly describe the sampling method used. Was the process of selection described and are the participants described in adequate Posters were placed in wards of a large detail? metropolitan hospital inviting volunteers to Take part in the study. Yes  Participants were not described sufficiently, No  Only briefly as five patients and four nurses. dignityincare. org. uk/About/ (Accessed: 09. 2017) Baillie L. and Gallagher A. A. , Pearson, K. , James, C. , Henderson, P. and Osborne, Y. , & Wes-Morland, M. , 2007 Mcmaster university Lin, Y. P. , & Tsai, Y. F. 46-52 MILNE, H. A. and McWILLIAM, C. L. (1996) Considering Nursing Resource 'Caring Time'. The Universal Ethical Code. Wiley. Chichester. Tuohy D, Cooney A, Dowling M, Murphy K, Sixmith J. An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research methodology.