María Del Mar Díaz-Cortés1, José Granero-Molina2, José Manuel Hernández-Padilla3, Rocío Pérez Rodríguez4, Matías Correa Casado5, Cayetano Fernández-Sola6. 1. University of Almeria, Almería, Spain. Electronic address: madico79@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: jgranero@ual.es. 3. Child and Midwifery Department, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University, London, UK. Electronic address: J.Hernandez-Padilla@mdx.ac.uk. 4. University of Almeria, Spain. Electronic address: rocio6_1991@hotmail.com. 5. Poniente Hospital, Almería, Spain. Electronic address: matiascasado@hotmail.com. 6. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: cfernan@ual.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preservation of a dying person's dignity in the emergency department (ED) is fundamental for the patient, his/her relatives and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore and interpret physicians' and nurses' experiences regarding conservation of dignity in end-of-life care in dying patients in the ED. METHODS: A qualitative study based on the hermeneutic phenomenological approach, was carried out in the emergency department of two general hospitals. A total of 16 nurses and 10 physicians participated in the study. Data collection included 12 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus groups. RESULTS: The findings revealed that two themes represent the practices and proposals for the conservation of dignity in the emergency department: dignified care in hostile surroundings and the design of a system focused on the person's dignity. CONCLUSION: Dignifying treatment, redesigning environmental conditions, and reorienting the healthcare system can contribute to maintaining dignity in end-of-life care in the ED.
BACKGROUND: Preservation of a dying person's dignity in the emergency department (ED) is fundamental for the patient, his/her relatives and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore and interpret physicians' and nurses' experiences regarding conservation of dignity in end-of-life care in dying patients in the ED. METHODS: A qualitative study based on the hermeneutic phenomenological approach, was carried out in the emergency department of two general hospitals. A total of 16 nurses and 10 physicians participated in the study. Data collection included 12 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus groups. RESULTS: The findings revealed that two themes represent the practices and proposals for the conservation of dignity in the emergency department: dignified care in hostile surroundings and the design of a system focused on the person's dignity. CONCLUSION: Dignifying treatment, redesigning environmental conditions, and reorienting the healthcare system can contribute to maintaining dignity in end-of-life care in the ED.