title: The significance of small things for dignity in psychiatric care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study is based on the ontological assumption about human interdependence, and also on earlier research, which has shown that patients in psychiatric hospitals and their relatives experience suffering and indignity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to explore the experience of patients and relatives regarding respect for dignity following admission to a psychiatric unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methodological approach is a phenomenological hermeneutic method.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is based on qualitative interviews conducted with six patients at a psychiatric hospital and five relatives of patients who experienced psychosis.
  Permission was given by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics in Western Norway, the Norwegian Data Protection Agency and all wards within the hospital in which the patients were interviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed one main theme: 'The significance of small things for experiencing dignity' and four subthemes described as follows - 'to be conscious of small things', 'being conscious of what one says', 'being met' and 'to be aware of personal chemistry'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Staff members seem not to give enough attention to the importance of these small things. Staff members need to explore this phenomenon systematically and expand their own understanding of it.
authors.affiliation: Stord/Haugesund University College, Norway frode.skorpen@hsh.no.
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Skorpen
authors.affiliation: Stord/Haugesund University College, Norway.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rehnsfeldt
authors.affiliation: University of Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Arlene Arstad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Thorsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D028723:Personhood; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Care; dignity; interdependence; patients; psychosis; relatives; small things