Dignity Therapy (final Words For Final Days)

By (author) Chochinov Harvey Max
Description
Maintaining dignity for patients approaching death is a core principle of palliative care. Translating that principle into methods of guiding care at the end of life, however, can be a complicated and daunting task. Dignity therapy, a psychological intervention developed by Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov and his internationally lauded research group, has been designed specifically to address many of the psychological, existential, and spiritual challenges that patients and their families face as they grapple with the reality of life drawing to a close. Tested with patients with advanced illnesses in Canada, the United States, Australia, China, Scotland, England, and Denmark, dignity therapy has been shown to not only benefit patients, but their families as well. In the first book to lay out the blueprint for this unique and meaningful intervention, Chochinov addresses one of the most important dimensions of being human. Being alive means being vulnerable and mortal; he argues that dignity therapy offers a way to preserve meaning and hope for patients approaching death. Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days is a beautiful introduction to this pioneering and innovative work. With history and foundations of dignity in care, and step by step guidance for readers interested in implementing the program, this volume illuminates how dignity therapy can change end-of-life experience for those about to die - and for those who will grieve their passing.
Table of contents
Chapter 1: Dignity and the End of Life ; Why Study Dignity? ; Dignity and Empirical Research ; The Model of Dignity in the Terminally Ill ; Illness-Related Concerns ; - Level of Independence ; - Symptom Distress ; Dignity-Conserving Repertoire ; - Dignity-Conserving Perspectives ; - Dignity-Conserving Practices ; Social Dignity Inventory ; - Privacy Boundaries ; - Social Support ; - Care Tenor ; - Burden to Others ; - Aftermath Concerns ; References ; Chapter 2: Moving Dignity into Care ; How the Dignity Model Informs Dignity Therapy ; - Form ; - Tone ; - Content ; Dignity Therapy Revealed ; The First Clinical Trial is Published ; What about Families? ; Gold Standard Evidence ; Time to Move On ; References ; Chapter 3: Introducing Dignity Therapy to Patients and Families ; Patient Selection for Dignity Therapy ; Who Should Not Take Part in Dignity Therapy? ; Chapter 4: Doing Dignity Therapy ; Setting up the Dignity Therapy Session ; The Role of the Dignity Therapist ; References ; Chapter 5: The Generativity Document ; The Rationale for Editing Dignity Therapy Transcripts ; Transcribing the Audio-Recorded Interview ; Editing the Verbatim Transcript ; - Cleaning Up the Transcript ; - Clarifying the Transcript ; - Finding a Suitable Ending ; - The Patient Has the Final Say ; Chapter 6. From Start to Finish ; Chapter 7. Moving Forward
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This is truly a remarkable book - it simultaneously brings together the best we know of the science of palliative care with the essence and best of compassionate care.
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For all health professionals who find themselves struggling to help patients face the complex process of dying, this book is both a detailed roadmap and an extraordinary guide that dispels the myth that ''there is nothing else they can do.'' Most importantly, the book sets a high standard for creating an environment that enables patients'' exploration of personhood and suffering and enhances their dignity in the final days of their lives.
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[This book] gives us all clear guidance to help our patients and their families to make meaning of their lives in a consistent and standardized manner. Because it will help us to better help our patients and their families, his work is a gift to palliative care clinicians everywhere.
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Dignity Therapy is a rich blend of a deep understanding of the e