What does it mean to be a virtuous patient? Virtue from the patient’s perspective. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy

Abstract This paper shifts the focus of biomedical ethics away from the dilemmas of doc-tors and towards patients and their responses to chronic illness. It explores the possible virtues needed to flourish despite ongoing pain and disability. An empirical study, investi-gating patients ' perspectives on the role of character in illness, revealed that patients val-ued qualities such as courage, realism, self-respect, a sense of humour, hope and the ability to maintain good relationships with others. Such qualities may characterise the "virtuous patient". These findings carry a number of practical implications for the pas-toral care of those suffering from chronic illnesses. These include working towards the em-powerment of patients, and an appreciation of the healing force of humour and the value of communication, all of which assist patients in their efforts to maintain their self-respect, their sense of a role in their community, and a sense of purpose in their lives