title: Perceptions of Iranian Cancer Patients Regarding Respecting their Dignity in Hospital Settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several factors that threaten the dignity of cancer patients in hospital settings. However, there is limited literature regarding the degree to which dignity of cancer patients is actually respected in daily clinical practice. The aims of this study were therefore to explore cancer patient perceptions of respecting their dignity and related variables in an Iranian cancer specific center.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive-correlational study was carried out among 250 cancer patients admitted to a cancer specific center in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. These patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' scores in 18 out of 25 items of PDI were 3 or greater which indicate the importance of considering these items in clinical settings. Also, the score of patients in three sub-scales of PDI including illness-related concerns, personal dignity, and social dignity were 74, 65 and 57, respectively (based on a total 100). The overall score of PDI was statistically associated with age, history of disease recurrence, education, employment and economic status of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the study findings the dignity of Iranian cancer patients is not completely respected in clinical settings which require special considerations. As nurses spend more time at patients' bedsides, they have an important role in maintaining and promoting dignified care.
authors.affiliation: Medical Surgical Department, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran E-mail azad.rahmani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zoleikha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Avestan
authors.forename: Azad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heshmati-Nabavi
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mogadasian
authors.forename: Safieh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faghani
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azadi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esfahani
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D028723:Personhood; D011379:Prognosis