Hospice Staff Perspectives on Dignity Therapy

Abstract Background: Dignity Therapy is a brief psychotherapy performed with patients at the end of life. Previous research has examined the effects of Dignity Therapy with patients and family, but none has examined hospice staff perceptions of the treatment. Objective: The study objective was to investigate hospice staff perspectives regarding the impact and value of Dignity Therapy when provided as a clinical service. Methods: Eighteen hospice staff members who referred patients for Dignity Therapy were asked to rate the value of the treatment. The staff also completed qualitative interviews to gather more detailed information about their most common reasons for referral; their perspectives regarding the therapy's impact on patients; and their beliefs about the costs, benefits, and barriers to treatment. The staff interview responses were qualitatively analyzed to measure the most common emergent themes. Results: Hospice staff members rated Dignity Therapy as worthwhile, and somewhat able to reduce pati...