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Patient Dignity Question: Feasible, dignity-conserving intervention in a rural hospice.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of using the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) in a small rural hospice setting.


DESIGN
Prospective study.


SETTING
The 5-bed Algonquin Grace Hospice in Huntsville, Ont.


PARTICIPANTS
Nineteen patients who met the research criteria and who were admitted to the hospice from September 2015 to December 2016.


METHODS
Participants completed the Patient Dignity Inventory and modified versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale before and after the PDQ interviews.


MAIN FINDINGS
While each of the 19 PDQ interviews was unique, there were many consistencies regarding accomplishments (eg, being a good parent), hopes (eg, one's need of being respected), and fears (eg, concerns about pets) that emerged from participants' stories. Hospice staff found the documents from PDQ interviews to be very valuable in their understanding of patients. Staff and patients unanimously wanted the program to continue. An unexpected benefit was the response of the patients' families who were deeply moved by the legacy documents, often sharing them following their family member's death.


CONCLUSION
The PDQ is a dignity-conserving intervention that serves as a meaningful end-of-life legacy document that benefits patients, staff, and families. Using the PDQ at the hospice helped patients feel truly heard, and increased caregivers' compassion and understanding of patients' needs.