Dignity, rights and capabilities in clinical rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to explore three concepts namely dignity, human rights and capabilities and to argue for their relevance in advancing the theory and practice of rehabilitation.


METHODS
A narrative review of selected academic writing on the three constructs is considered with respect to the rehabilitation literature.


RESULTS
Each concept is defined and technical terms are explained for readers unfamiliar with these topics. Salient aspects of academic or scientific writing on each of these three topics is summarised and attempts are made to integrate these with rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Dignity, rights and capabilities are three concepts that have the potential to enhance theory development in rehabilitation.
Siegert
Richard J
RJ
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, School of Medicine at Guy's, King's College and St. Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK. richard.siegert@kcl.ac.uk
Ward
Tony
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D028723:Personhood; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000941:ethics*; D012935:Social Justice