Some patients feel a loss of dignity while receiving health care. Recognizing these feelings and taking corrective action can help patients cope better. The Sense of Dignity Score is a Likert scale that can help detect and monitor a patient's concerns about personal dignity.
Feelings associated with loss of dignity:
(1) shame
(2) degradation
(3) embarrassment
Sense of Loss of Dignity
Frequency and Intensity of Feelings
Concern to Patient
Score
none
none
none
0
minimum
occasionally some sense of loss of dignity
not considered a problem
1
mild
occasionally some degree of shame, often low grade worry about loss of dignity
occasionally regarded as a minor problem
2
moderate
most of the time has definite concerns, often may feel somewhat ashamed or degraded
regarded as a significant problem
3
strong
most of the time has a clear sense of loss of dignity
regarded as a prominent and ongoing problem
4
severe
almost always present; very frequently experiences feelings
regarded as a troubling, serious and ongoing problem
5
extreme
virtually constant
regarded as a pervasive, consuming and constant problem
6
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