The Correlation between Respecting the Dignity of Cancer Patients and the Quality of Nurse-Patient Communication

CONTEXT: Nurse–patient communication is one of the important factors affects the promotion and maintenance of the dignity of cancer patients in the hospital settings. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the perceptions of cancer patients regarding respecting their dignity and its correlation with nurse–patient communication in the hospital settings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This correlational study was conducted on 250 cancer patients admitted to the Oncology Departments of Tabriz Shahid Ghazi University Hospital, Iran. These patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. The Patient Dignity Inventory and Nurse Quality of Communication with Patient Questionnaire were used for collecting the data. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the data. RESULTS: The score of nurse–patient relationship is significantly correlated with patient's dignity score (R = −0.21, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the importance of nurse–patient communication on maintenance of the dignity of cancer patients, it is a necessary requirement to take proper actions in this area, particularly by promoting “nurse's communication skills.”