ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
“He is so much more than just his illness” using the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) to elicit personhood and enhance dignity in the intensive care unit (ICU): A feasibility study examining family and healthcare professional feedback
Authors' conclusion
Families and staff reported PDQs were highly valued, providing a novel way of improving dignity conserving care in ICUs.
Study context
- Population
- Family members of critically ill ICU patients and ICU staff
- Participants
- 33 vs 36
- Comparison
- Family members vs ICU staff
- Family membersn = 33
- ICU staffn = 36
- Outcome
- Feasibility of the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) for eliciting personhood in ICUs (family and staff survey feedback, Likert 1 strongly disagree–5 strongly agree)
Methodological detailsmulti-method, Brief PDQ interview summaries placed at the bedside for the healthcare team to read
- Multi-method
- Brief PDQ interview summaries placed at the bedside for the healthcare team to read
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Family and staff feedback on the PDQ (Likert 1–5)
| Group | Value | PDQ participation highly meaningful | Should be offered to other patients and families | PDQ information accurate | Provided important information for the health care team | Would impact loved one's care | PDQ told them new information | Influenced their empathy | Influenced connectedness to the patient | Influenced their physical care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family members | Mean 4.8 (SD 0.4) | Mean 4.8, SD 0.4 | Mean 4.8, SD 0.5 | Mean 4.9, SD 0.3 | Mean 4.8, SD 0.4 | Mean 4.3, SD 0.8 | ||||
| ICU staff | Mean 4.5 (SD 0.8) | Mean 4.5, SD 0.8 | Mean 3.7 SD 1.1 | Mean 3.9 SD 0.7 | Mean 2.8 SD 1.1 |
Value
Family membersMean 4.8 (SD 0.4)
ICU staffMean 4.5 (SD 0.8)
PDQ participation highly meaningful
Family membersMean 4.8, SD 0.4
ICU staff— not stated in the abstract
Should be offered to other patients and families
Family membersMean 4.8, SD 0.5
ICU staff— not stated in the abstract
PDQ information accurate
Family membersMean 4.9, SD 0.3
ICU staff— not stated in the abstract
Provided important information for the health care team
Family membersMean 4.8, SD 0.4
ICU staff— not stated in the abstract
Would impact loved one's care
Family membersMean 4.3, SD 0.8
ICU staff— not stated in the abstract
PDQ told them new information
Family members— not stated in the abstract
ICU staffMean 4.5, SD 0.8
Influenced their empathy
Family members— not stated in the abstract
ICU staffMean 3.7 SD 1.1
Influenced connectedness to the patient
Family members— not stated in the abstract
ICU staffMean 3.9 SD 0.7
Influenced their physical care
Family members— not stated in the abstract
ICU staffMean 2.8 SD 1.1
Further findings
Qualitative themes from staff feedback
- Knowing the whole person, tailoring care
- Increased empathy
- Beyond the patient, impacting family interactions
Original publication
“He is so much more than just his illness” using the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) to elicit personhood and enhance dignity in the intensive care unit (ICU): A feasibility study examining family and healthcare professional feedback. J Crit Care. Published 29 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →