The person behind the patient: a feasibility study using the Patient Dignity Question for patients with palliative care needs in hospital

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) 'what do I need to know about you as a person to take the best care of you that I can?', as a person-centred intervention for patients with palliative needs in the acute hospital setting in Scotland, UK.

METHOD: To test the feasibility of the research design, a purposive sample of nine patients and five health-care professionals (HCPs) were recruited from acute wards in the east of Scotland. Responses to the PDQ were assessed using a PDQ feedback questionnaire to gauge participant reaction to its use. A person-centred climate questionnaire (PCQ-P) was used to assess responses to the environment in relation to the person-centred approach.

RESULTS: The results from responses to the PDQ feedback questionnaire indicate that it is feasible to carry out this type of study for people with palliative care needs in the acute care setting, and that participants found the PDQ acceptable. The PCQ-P was effective in determining the person-centred nature of the hospital climate. However, it was not possible to determine if the PDQ had a direct influence on this, without pre- and post-intervention data.

CONCLUSIONS: The PDQ was feasible and acceptable for this group of participants as a means by which HCPs may enhance person-centred care for people with palliative needs in an acute hospital. Testing the implementation of the PDQ in a before-and-after study would be beneficial.