Perceptions of Iranian Cancer Patients Regarding Respecting their Dignity in Hospital Settings

Background: There are several factors that threaten the dignity of cancer patients in hospital settings. However,there is limited literature regarding the degree to which dignity of cancer patients is actually respected in dailyclinical practice. The aims of this study were therefore to explore cancer patient perceptions of respecting theirdignity and related variables in an Iranian cancer specific center. Materials and
Methods: This descriptivecorrelationalstudy was carried out among 250 cancer patients admitted to a cancer specific center in EastAzerbaijan Province, Iran. These patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. The Patient DignityInventory (PDI) was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Results: The patients’ scores in 18 out of 25 items of PDI were 3 or greater which indicate the importance ofconsidering these items in clinical settings. Also, the score of patients in three sub-scales of PDI including illnessrelatedconcerns, personal dignity, and social dignity were 74, 65 and 57, respectively (based on a total 100). Theoverall score of PDI was statistically associated with age, history of disease recurrence, education, employmentand economic status of participants.
Conclusions: According to the study findings the dignity of Iranian cancerpatients is not completely respected in clinical settings which require special considerations. As nurses spendmore time at patients’ bedsides, they have an important role in maintaining and promoting dignified care.