Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds
Background: Navigating inpatient care can be complex and distressing for patients, particularly as they grapple with the emotional and physical changes brought about by their condition. Ensuring the preservation of human dignity during this period is vital, as it directly influences an individual’s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/757 |
| _version_ | 1797592843316887552 |
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| author | Maroš Šip Bohuslav Kuzyšin Miroslav Sabolik Michal Valčo |
| author_facet | Maroš Šip Bohuslav Kuzyšin Miroslav Sabolik Michal Valčo |
| author_sort | Maroš Šip |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Navigating inpatient care can be complex and distressing for patients, particularly as they grapple with the emotional and physical changes brought about by their condition. Ensuring the preservation of human dignity during this period is vital, as it directly influences an individual’s self-esteem and overall quality of life, most prominently during end-of-life care. The hospital milieu and the behaviour of healthcare professionals can significantly affect a patient’s dignity. This paper scrutinized the concept of human dignity in inpatient care, with a primary emphasis on its theological, social, and regional context, drawing particularly on the Eastern Orthodox tradition and the central European, specifically Slovakian, context. Methodology: This study engaged respected authors in theology, social science, and healthcare to present an enriched understanding of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual components of human dignity. The analysis incorporated a blend of theological concepts, empirical findings, and regional insights to provide a nuanced perspective on dignity conservation. Results: The study illuminates the criticality of preserving human dignity from a multi-dimensional perspective, promoting patient autonomy, acknowledging their cultural and spiritual beliefs, and confronting societal attitudes and practices. It draws from theological doctrines and the European Charter of Patient’s Rights to advocate for a nuanced, dignity-conserving approach to patient care. Case studies and practical strategies for preserving human dignity in palliative care contexts, based on clinical guidelines, empirical studies, and theological writings, are presented. Conclusions: This study highlights the integral role of human dignity from both theological and practical perspectives in inpatient care, advocating for a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care that values the individual’s bio-psycho-social-spiritual facets. It underscores the necessity for a collaborative commitment between healthcare providers, patients, and their families to foster a milieu that unconditionally supports the dignity of the ill person. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:58:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a5859d947ed46f6b3888eb02a49bfcb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:58:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a5859d947ed46f6b3888eb02a49bfcb2023-11-18T12:23:25ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-06-0114675710.3390/rel14060757Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social GroundsMaroš Šip0Bohuslav Kuzyšin1Miroslav Sabolik2Michal Valčo3Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Prešov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Prešov, SlovakiaFaculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Prešov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Prešov, SlovakiaFaculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Prešov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Prešov, SlovakiaEvangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bartokova 8, 811 02 Bratislava, SlovakiaBackground: Navigating inpatient care can be complex and distressing for patients, particularly as they grapple with the emotional and physical changes brought about by their condition. Ensuring the preservation of human dignity during this period is vital, as it directly influences an individual’s self-esteem and overall quality of life, most prominently during end-of-life care. The hospital milieu and the behaviour of healthcare professionals can significantly affect a patient’s dignity. This paper scrutinized the concept of human dignity in inpatient care, with a primary emphasis on its theological, social, and regional context, drawing particularly on the Eastern Orthodox tradition and the central European, specifically Slovakian, context. Methodology: This study engaged respected authors in theology, social science, and healthcare to present an enriched understanding of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual components of human dignity. The analysis incorporated a blend of theological concepts, empirical findings, and regional insights to provide a nuanced perspective on dignity conservation. Results: The study illuminates the criticality of preserving human dignity from a multi-dimensional perspective, promoting patient autonomy, acknowledging their cultural and spiritual beliefs, and confronting societal attitudes and practices. It draws from theological doctrines and the European Charter of Patient’s Rights to advocate for a nuanced, dignity-conserving approach to patient care. Case studies and practical strategies for preserving human dignity in palliative care contexts, based on clinical guidelines, empirical studies, and theological writings, are presented. Conclusions: This study highlights the integral role of human dignity from both theological and practical perspectives in inpatient care, advocating for a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care that values the individual’s bio-psycho-social-spiritual facets. It underscores the necessity for a collaborative commitment between healthcare providers, patients, and their families to foster a milieu that unconditionally supports the dignity of the ill person.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/757human dignityinpatient careeastern orthodox theological anthropologypalliative careGod’s imagetranscendental nursing care |
| spellingShingle | Maroš Šip Bohuslav Kuzyšin Miroslav Sabolik Michal Valčo Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds Religions human dignity inpatient care eastern orthodox theological anthropology palliative care God’s image transcendental nursing care |
| title | Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds |
| title_full | Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds |
| title_fullStr | Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds |
| title_short | Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds |
| title_sort | human dignity in inpatient care fragments of religious and social grounds |
| topic | human dignity inpatient care eastern orthodox theological anthropology palliative care God’s image transcendental nursing care |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/757 |
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