Resumen:
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in promoting dignity in care, and specific interventions
have been developed to include it at the end of life. The patient dignity question (PDQ) is a recent, novel
and simple intervention that healthcare professionals can implement; however, little is known about its
impact. This scoping review aims to examine and map out the PDQ literature.
Recent findings
Studies suggest that patients, families and professionals have a positive view of the PDQ in that it helps to
get to know patients and provide them with the best care possible. The PDQ seems to promote an
environment of care focused on the person and the prevalence of more human aspects in clinical
encounters between professionals and patients. This is especially so in situations in which human aspects of
the healthcare relationship at baseline received lower marks. Healthcare professionals thought that
performing the PDQ to determine what is important to the patient is a feasible and effective exercise.
Summary
The published literature suggests that PDQ is a beneficial intervention for approaching and getting to know
a patient as a person. More studies are needed that measure pre¿post-PDQ changes and that demonstrate
their impact on patient care.
