There are a good number of health professionals all over the world who do not know the importance of dignity in care. Dignity in care enhances better service delivery in the health sector. Dignity in care ensures that patients and clients get the right services at the level of genuine care on the part of the health professionals. The big question is how caregivers and healthcare professionals embody dignity in care.
The first step to answering this question is discussing the meaning of dignity in care, and its importance in caregiving and healthcare service delivery.

What is Dignity in Care?

Dignity in care is when a caregiver or healthcare professional recognizes the patients’ rights, respect their boundaries and considers their choices and privacy in the course of the provision of care services. It refers to the provision of care that respects the individual’s autonomy, worth, and dignity. For efficient and effective service delivery that considers dignity in care a topmost priority, the well-being, comfort, and happiness of the patient are of utmost importance.

Dignity in care is a broad term that includes a lot of actions expected of a caregiver. Some of the actions include treating people with respect, providing patient autonomy, and providing empathetic and compassionate care. The kind of human actions required for people who want to embody dignity shall be treated later in this article.

The Importance of Dignity in Care

1.Dignity in care improves the health conditions of patients. When a caregiver provides services while respecting patients, patients are happier and recover better.

2.It also increases the level of trust the patient has for the caregiver. Patients tend to trust caregivers more when they are treated with respect and dignity.

3.When a caregiver provides services with dignity, there is bound to be a better and more efficient working environment. Duties would be carried out swiftly without encumbrances.

4.It offers the patients a great level of independence and freedom.

5.Dignity in care promotes and retains a high level of self-respect for the patients. They feel respected and dignified.

How to Embody Dignity in Care

There are several ways that you can embody dignity in care as a caregiver.

1. Exude Empathy and Compassion
The best way to embody dignity in care is when you exude empathy and compassion towards your patients. While providing services, you’ve to show them that you deeply care about them and their well-being. You can only show them you care by being empathetic and compassionate. It’s not enough to feel their pain and express strong emotion; you have to go the extra mile to prove that you genuinely care by providing exceptional service.

2. Provide Personalized Care

Patients are deeply impressed and happy whenever healthcare personnel provide personalized care. You can provide personalized care by caring deeply about their treatment, checking up on them regularly, ensuring you work hard to see that they get well, and knowing their details. A caregiver must know the name and birth date of his patients; knowing these vital personal details goes a long way in ensuring dignity in care is provided.

3. Give Space and Independence

As a caregiver, you need to give your patients space and allow them to be independent. You have to allow them to make their own decisions, have their space, and tell you their mind. Patients should be treated as humans who deserve independence and human dignity. When you do this, the patients will truly appreciate what you do for them.

4. Communicate Clearly

A caregiver, who is serious and sincere about providing services that are embedded in dignity, is expected to communicate clearly. Communication is one of the root factors and elements needed in caregiving. You should communicate well and clearly to provide excellent services as a caregiver.

5. Listen Actively and Give Feedback

Active listening and giving feedback after listening is one of the most vital elements of caregiving. For dignity in care to be present as you provide care as a caregiver, you need to listen attentively to your patients. You have to pay attention to whatever they say, and if you lack active listening skills, you cannot provide good services as a caregiver.

Conclusion

Dignity in care and how to embody dignity in care as a caregiver or healthcare professional is an important part of service delivery in this field. The patients deserve to be treated with care, patience, and understanding. All that you do should be about the patients. Dignity in care ensures customers are happy and satisfied, and their health conditions improve.