ABCD Of Dignity Conserving Care

Question 1

Behavior

Answer 1

r Healthcare behaviours should always be predicated on kindness and respect. Small acts can personalise care. Disposition: • Teat contact with patients as you world important clinical intervention. • Professional behaviours towards patients must always include respect and kindness. • Lack of curative options should never rationalise or justify a lack of on-going patient contact. Clinical Examinations: • Always ask the patients permission to perform a physical exam, to include students, etc • Although an exam may be part of routine care, it is not routine for the patient and show that you have some appreciation. • Limit conversations with patient during exams. Communication: • Act in a manner that shows that the patient has your full attention • Always invite the patient to have someone from his or her support network present particularly when you plan to discuss or disclose difficult information. • Personal issues should be raised in a setting that attempts to respect the patients need for privacy. • When speaking to the patient, be seated and be at the patients eye level. • Offer repeated explanations • Present using language the patient will understand and never speak to them in terms that they will not be able to understand. • Always ask if the patient has any further questions and assume there will be opportunities to oppose questions.

Question 2

Compassion

Answer 2

Attitude and behaviour can be examined within the realm of the intellectual but compassion requires a discourse about the healthcare provider’s feelings. Compassion refers to a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. It may come naturally or be acquired over time. Ways to show it: • An understanding look • A gently touch on the shoulder, arm, or hand • Some form of communication, spoken or unspoken, that acknowledges the person beyond their illness.

Question 3

Dialogue

Answer 3

It can be the most or least important. It must acknowledge the patient beyond the illness itself to bolster their sense of meaning and purpose. It is necessary to give a patient a sense of meaning and dignity and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.

Question 4

Attitude

Answer 4

This underscores the need for healthcare providers to examine their attitudes and assumptions towards patients. Attitude is an enduring learnt predisposition to behave in consistent way towards a given class of objects as they are conceived to be. It might not reflect reality. Patients look at health care providers and see a mirror and seek a positive image of themselves and their continued sense of work.