Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2012, 3(4):484-489

Dignified approach of nurses to patients in social care homes

Silvia Lelkešová¹, Ingrid Juhásová^2,*

¹ Social Care Home for Adults, Lehnice, Slovakia

² Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Care and Social Work, Trnava University in Trnava, Slovakia

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine nurses' perception of their own level of dignified approach to patients in social care homes and to identify potential statistically significant relationships between the level of dignified approach to patients in social care homes and demographic data (nurses' age, duration of clinical experience, education etc.).

Methods: The sample consisted of 106 nurses working in social care homes run by the Trnava Region. An authorized questionnaire called Assessment of Ethical Issues - Dignified Approach to a Patient was used to determine the level of dignified approach. The questionnaire consisted of five subscales (patient awareness; autonomy; respecting confidentiality; principle of justice; intimacy). Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS version 15.0 software.

Results: The level of dignified approach to patients in social care homes was self-assessed by nurses as adequate. There was a low correlation between the perceived level of dignified approach to patients and demographic data. Nurses with higher education (bachelor's degree) demonstrated significantly higher levels of dignified approach. The lowest level of dignified approach was found in the subscale focused on patient autonomy.

Conclusion: Based on the knowledge of these results, changes may be promoted that will contribute to increased quality of nursing care provided in social care homes.

Keywords: human dignity, dignified approach, nurse, social care homes, measurement

Published: September 30, 2012  Show citation