title: The person behind the patient: a feasibility study using the Patient Dignity Question for patients with palliative care needs in hospital.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Palliative and Supportive Care, Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaffney
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: Deans
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buchanan
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Acute hospital; Feasibility study; Human dignity; Palliative care; Person-centred