Table 3 Major themes: Categories, themes, and sub-themes of the construction of dignity in the acute and intensive care setting
Categories | Dignity in and of itself “Moral and inalienable good of all human beings” | Dignity in relationships “Being present with self-awareness” | Dignity in practice “Tone of care” |
|---|---|---|---|
Themes | Dignity as a Value | Fragility | Preservation of Choice |
Subthemes | - Values - Beliefs - Culture - Morality | - Staying in a relationship - Being present with self-awareness - Self-care | -Informing and being informed |
Themes | Sense of Intactness | Reciprocity | The Body and Small Everyday Acts |
Subthemes | - Human person - Autonomy - Consciousness - Emotions - Freedom | - One’s own attitude and assumptions influence dignity - Dignified actions | - Small things - Acts - Time |
Themes | Humanity | Deep Understanding | Information Overload |
Subthemes | - Caring for the person (not only the disease) | - Empathy - Compassion | - Daily information for patients and families |
Themes | Connectedness | ||
Subthemes | - “Hospital system” and “patient system” close together |