Iranian stroke patient’s perception of dignity, autonomy and privacy: a questionnaire survey

Background: Patients with stroke have many problems which may have adverse effects on opportunities for dignified care. So, any plans to improve the providing of dignified care in these patients need to identify the level of maintaining their dignity in hospital settings and its related factors in particular privacy and autonomy. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to recognize the level of self-perceived dignity and its relationships with the perception of respected autonomy and privacy among Iranian stroke patients. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was undertaken among 166 patients with stroke admitted to a public educational centre affiliated to Ardebil University of Medical Sciences, Ardebil/Iran. They were selected using convenience sampling method. Patients’ levels of self-perceived dignity, autonomy and privacy were assessed using valid questionnaires. Results: The study findings showed a significant negative correlation between patients’ self-perceived dignity and autonomy. Also there was no significant relationship between patients’ self-perceived dignity and patients’ perception of protected privacy. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study respect to autonomy of patient increases the amount of patient dignity. But there isn’t this relationship about respect to the privacy of patient