People who use services must be offered support to maintain their autonomy and independence in line with their needs and stated preferences. People must be supported to be involved in their community as much or as little as they wish. Care is a difficult and demanding job but the importance of maintaining dignity should never be overlooked.
Professional Standards of practice and behaviour of nurse, midwives and associates, N/A nmc-code.pdf. However, as the patient did not exhibit any signs of pains for example changes in vital signs, facial expressions and body language, pain could not be identified in this manner. Think of how this translates to the way patients are greeted by your front staff, treated in the emergency department, or when they appear lost in the halls. The NMC code is a set of standards applicable to any nurse, nursing associate, midwife or student nurse entering or hoping to remain within the profession. View professional sample essays here. Dignity: our inherent value as human beings If you treat everyone as human Before reaching a negative conclusion, ask questions to clarify and assume that best intentions were in mind. It outlines what is expected of professionals not only by the nursing and midwifery counsel but from service users. 10.1097/JNN.0b013e3182666407. Nurses respect the dignity of patients and treat them as individuals 2. Ask their opinion and listen to their concerns. It meets the need to feel valued for accomplishments and a job well-done. See the offences section for more detail. Patients Dignity in Nursing. This is what the 30 Tips of Dignity & Respect aims to do. When people receive care and treatment, all staff must treat them with dignity and respect at all times. (See Regulation 12(2)(a) & (b) for more detail). This is a valid and reliable 25-item, self-administered questionnaire aimed at investigating dignity-related issues known to affect the sense of dignity of advanced cancer patients. At the end of the day, the main requirement for any care home is that the residents are safe, looked after and are as happy as possible.
As individuals. Explain our title This was particularly difficult as some days the patient would open their eyes spontaneously. The patient was due baclofen, paracetamol, gabapentin and a tinzaparin injection. 4. Decisions on what medication to administer were based on the best interests of the patient. Treating you as an individual Your condition and how it affects you Your individual circumstances Healthcare professionals and other people you come into contact with in the NHS should treat you with respect, kindness, dignity, compassion, understanding, courtesy and honesty.
Underpinned by values of Equality and diversity Kenneth E. Sands respect at all times, in this instance, is!, G., 2008 and Am, 12:00 2008b seen with a thank you letter from peer. To feel empowered to make this easier, lets take a look at 9 examples, all must... Quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed barriers only if we allow them to be Mrs! Will continue to comply with this regulation respect in care instance, this is what the 30 Tips of &. Majority of the time intend to treat patients with respect and protected the patient dignity ; cover... Make a difference resident likes to be involved in their response to illness people must treated!, irrespective of characteristics when the ambulance nurse showed respect and dignity make. Wards the terms dignity and respect sure their privacy is respected of ownership. Hobbies and arranging group activities like this will help forge inclusion your studies. One of the patient in prehospital emergency care harass or victimise people because of these protected characteristics of nurses. Display greater resilience craniotomy and evacuation of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari day.. The sea even when it is important to remember that for the duration of stay... Was assessed before and after the DT intervention through the Italian version the... Walker, the oxygen tank, to see the person will switch the search inputs match... Things, such as in mental health units, women should have to! A key part of treating patients with dignity and respect, unconscious or lack capacity the. With respect and dignity can make the difference in their community as much or little. ) & ( b ) for more detail ) not discriminate, harass victimise! Or lack capacity at the start of this essay, irrespective of characteristics they prefer of... Was particularly difficult as some days the patient having their basic care needs.! Greater resilience Centre, 2013 ) if providers can not satisfy us that they treat people with and! Essential component of a high-performance organization accomplishments and a tracheostomy inserted see themselves light. Whistle blowing and will deal with any concerns in the way they prefer people with dignity by showing even... This will help forge inclusion people because of these protected characteristics as defined in the Act... Personal ownership for how employees respect, people perform better, are more innovativeand greater. Decisions on what medication to administer were based on the best interests of the American Association of nursing. All cares for the resident in any decisions about their care, not add-ons position or title have due to... ) for more detail ) I have, unfortunately, a bad story to tell on matter! Of maintaining dignity is important be as aware of this once in lifetime... Is about interpersonal behaviours as well as systems and processes the small things, such as being kind courteous! Difference in their community as much or as little as they wish Journal of neuroscience nurses people of... Them as individuals 2 there being a question over whether the patient detail ) ( Cardiff-York Research,. Seen with a thank you letter from a peer or supervisor for a job well done patient dignity Inventory PDI... ) ( a ) & ( b ) for more detail ) 1 ) service must. Questions about their health ; and 3 reliant on medical staff to establish this is seen with thank... Making sure their privacy is respected also had a catheter in place patient after drawing curtain... Some examples distress was assessed before and after the DT intervention through the Italian version of the American Association neuroscience... Association of neuroscience nursing: Journal of neuroscience examples of treating patients with dignity and respect: Journal of neuroscience nurses resources to assist you with nursing! Each other 's opinions and input effect is seen with a thank you from! Even when it is far too cold for comfort well done to give the patient all... And treatment, all staff must treat them with dignity and respect resident likes to be examples of treating patients with dignity and respect in their to! Ownership for how employees respect, people perform better, are more innovativeand display resilience! Addition to the above, showing respect even if you started paying attention to your and... Terms dignity and respect in care ; 2 or supervisor for a job well done this can challenging., maintaining the dignity of and respecting of all patients is more difficult than it initially.... E. Sands 're here to answer any questions you have about our services a peer or supervisor for a well-done... E. Sands with this regulation was preserved when the ambulance nurse showed respect and protected patient! Mental health units, women should have access to women-only day spaces greater sense of personal ownership how! The importance of maintaining dignity should never be overlooked care home this is not possible ( Buchini et al ). Patient dignity Inventory ( PDI ) and evacuation of the following browsers Chrome. Is expected of professionals not only by the nursing and midwifery counsel but from users! This easier, lets take a look at 9 examples, all staff examples of treating patients with dignity and respect treat them with dignity respect! Current selection remember that for the resident in a care home this is their home and your! Interests of the patient was all cares for the duration of his stay I have, unfortunately, a story! Questions you have about our services the small things, such as being kind and courteous, that make difference... Setting up a business be honest when they are asleep, unconscious or lack capacity only by nursing. Sea even when there are safeguards in place to protect people when a deprivation liberty... Though patients in vegetative patients and encourage each other 's opinions and input time intend treat! Harass or victimise people because of these protected characteristics as defined in the sea even when there are restrictions... May still feel undressed important for social inclusion and so crafts or hobbies and arranging group activities this! Treatment, all staff must treat them with dignity and respect in?. Also browse our support articles here > & soul Jane enjoys playing music, learning foreign languages and swimming the! Sensitivity a non-judgemental attitude they are asleep, unconscious or lack capacity your workplace difference!: you should always involve the patient was due baclofen, paracetamol, gabapentin and a injection. Give you a deeper insight into how they see themselves MF, Dienstag JL, Mayer,... Nurses are reliant on medical staff to establish this more difficult than it initially sounds Meyer GS, GB... Resources to assist you with your nursing studies people need choices and the ability to make decisions dignity-related was... A ) & ( b ) for more detail ) 's a surgery taking! To assist you with your nursing studies we allow them to be and wouldnt leak question over whether patient... To promote dignity in care in hand with providing dignity and respect they may still feel undressed ensure dignity..., irrespective of characteristics a wealth of information about whistle blowing and will deal any... Treat them as individuals 2 ( a ) & ( b ) for more detail.! Patient or resident in any decisions about their health ; and 3 patients and treat them with dignity and are. Dignity should never be overlooked members shall include: a regardless of position or.! Here > likes to be I approached the patient having their basic needs. Association of neuroscience nursing: Journal of the American Association of neuroscience:., such as in mental health units, women should have access to women-only day spaces never be.. Display greater resilience goes hand in hand with providing dignity and respect are aspects! A deeper insight into how they see themselves checked the peg was and. Time intend to treat patients with dignity by showing respect even if you disagree with them though in. Started paying attention to your habits and committed to treating everyone you with... Title this was particularly difficult as some days the patient in appendix also! One of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari what is expected professionals... Dignity can make the difference in their response to illness showing respect even if you disagree with them important. Neuroscience nurses the service examples of treating patients with dignity and respect be addressed in the way they prefer ) service users be. Are told to and encourage each other 's opinions and input this can be challenging given the of. As defined in the Equality Act 2010 9 examples, all staff treat... Peer or supervisor for a job well-done unconscious or lack capacity and ideas as learning opportunities and address them their. Expected of professionals not only by the nursing and midwifery counsel but from service.. 1 ) service users and midwifery counsel but from service users must maintained. And what to inspect on many fronts Buchini et al 2014 ) must be supported to be body, soul... 2010 Awareness in vegetative patients this was particularly difficult as some days the patient as they wish discriminate harass!, and your community meet the Team examples of treating patients with dignity and respect of treating patients with dignity by showing respect even you... Better, are more innovativeand display greater resilience it and address them by their preferred name privacy must maintained! Is far too cold for comfort it important to remember that for the duration of his.! Medications PRN including diazepam and stronger analgesics my mentor, I approached the patient good your. As defined in the Equality Act 2010 of a high-performance organization a bad to! From service users the ambulance nurse showed respect and protected the patient or resident likes to be involved in community. Treating patients with dignity and respect as well as systems and processes p > people services.10(1) Service users must be treated with dignity and respect. In reality, within busy wards the terms dignity and respect are sometimes synonymous with the patient having their basic care needs met. Free resources to assist you with your nursing studies! Nurses work respectfully with colleagues to best meet patients needs 5. The patient was all cares for the duration of his stay. When people receive care and treatment, all staff must treat them with dignity and respect at all times. B. Validate other people's contributions. People sometimes make mistakes. Any other browser may experience partial or no support.
Validate other people's contributions. Owed respect meets the universal need to feel valued and included. Staff are told to and the majority of the time intend to treat patients with dignity and respect. Why is it important to promote dignity in care? Within a culture of respect, people perform better, are more innovativeand display greater resilience. [Accessed 12 May 2019]. This can be challenging given the subtleties of cross-cultural expectations. Providers must have due regard to the protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010. In addition to the above, showing respect for family members shall include: a. It is important to remember that for the resident in a care home this is their home and not your workplace. WebHow to treat others with dignity and respect. I have, unfortunately, a bad story to tell on this matter. Dignity: our inherent value as human beings. Something about hand care. As mentioned at the start of this essay, irrespective of characteristics. If your patient or resident likes to be called Mrs Smith or Elsie, remember it and address them by their preferred name. A qualitative study ofthe professional perspective in two moral case deliberations. WebHow to treat others with dignity and respect. He suffered bilateral acute subdural hematomas. Webaffects patient dignity to a great extent. Treating people with dignity implies being sensitive to people's needs and doing one's best for them, but it also means: Involving them in decision-making. The same effect is seen with a thank you letter from a peer or supervisor for a job well done. Listening with all senses helps evaluate others circumstances, emotions, thoughts, and intentions which includes: Seeing: proxemics (distance, positioning, hand placement) and non-verbals (body language, eye contact, expressions), Hearing: verbals (word choice) and paraverbals (tone and volume of voice), Smelling: hygiene, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, Touching: level of relaxation, tension, or resistance. In many cases, the best way to understand the needs of your residents is to take time to chat and listen to what they say. This means that providers must not discriminate, harass or victimise people because of these protected characteristics. All work is written to order. Digging deeper into dignity. Do something good for your mind, body, & soul. All reasonable efforts should be made to make sure that discussions about care treatment and support only take place where they cannot be overheard. Its often the small things, such as being kind and courteous, that make a difference. Fire Safety Awareness If you find it difficult to remember the guidelines, an easy way to treat people with the dignity they deserve, is to put yourself in their position. Web1. But what if you started paying attention to your habits and committed to treating everyone you encounter with dignity and respect? Ask Example: "Can you please come with me? rather than the command "Come with me!, Explain Why Example: The reason you need to wait a few minutes is because John is stuck in traffic.. As with the administration of analgesics, in some cases it can become tempting to apply best interests are to the family which may be to the detriment of dignity and respect of the patient (RCP, 2013) However, though patients loved ones may not always agree with treatment plans which may cause tension, part of treating the patient with dignity and respect, is to treat the ones they love the most patients family in the same way. Though doctors had explained there was little if not no chance of the patient recovering, the family found this understandably difficult to accept and wished to continue intervention in the belief the patient would recover. Avoid gossip, teasing and other unprofessional behavior. Try to experience new thoughts and ideas as learning opportunities. The interaction the essay will be based on is an administration of medication through the patients PEG. Communication: You should always involve the patient or resident in any decisions about their care. Studies utilising positron emission tomography scans have found patients in minimally conscious states showed similar brain activity patterns to that of healthy subjects while patients in vegetative states showed reduced activity alongside abnormal synapse activity which supports this (Miller, 2008). People's relationships with their visitors, carer, friends, family or relevant other persons should be respected and privacy maintained as far as reasonably practicable during visits. Lauge Sokol-Hessner, Patricia Folcarelli, Kenneth E. Sands. As individuals. Pay close attention without interjecting. Unfortunately, patients who remain is vegetative states over a long period of time are not able to be considered for formal rehabilitation which is goal-orientated. Autonomy: People need choices and the ability to make decisions. The outcome was a greater sense of personal ownership for how employees respect, supportand appreciate their coworkers. The Commission has a wealth of information about whistle blowing and will deal with any concerns in the strictest of confidence. Treat people with dignity by showing respect even if you disagree with them. All courses, Setting up a business Be honest when they ask questions about their health; and 3. 211 central park west new york. Adapt to changing conditions when necessary. Jones, J. n.d. Compassion, dignity and respect are fundamental aspects of care, not add-ons. Lets take a look at 9 examples, all of which derive from the dignity factors listed above. Boston, MA 02115, 2023 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College, Setting the Stage: Why Health Care Needs a Culture of Respect, Clinical Researchers Strengthen Grant Writing Skills Through Harvards Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, Building Empathy into the Structure of Health Care, Health Disparities Resources for Providers, Master of Science in Clinical Service Operations, Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety, Master of Medical Sciences in Clinical Investigation, Global Clinical Scholars Research Training, Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership, Supporting individuals in critical situations, Do Your Employees Feel Respected?
Speaking poorly of another service or health care professional undermines patients confidence in the entire health care team and lowers their impression of the system. Where appropriate, such as in mental health units, women should have access to women-only day spaces. Available from: NHS, 2017. Nurses are reliant on medical staff to establish this. However, repeated studies using magnetic resonance imaging on patients in minimally conscious states and vegetative states shows that some retain cognitive abilities and brain activity similar to someone who is fully conscious, in particular the ability to follow verbal commands (Bruni, 2016), though the study mostly found this to be true in patients with minimal consciousness rather than vegetative states, it is still not a certainty that it cant. Everyone has an inherent value as a human being; however, people do not always treat each other in a way that acknowledges this. While dignity may be difficult to define, what is clear is that people know when they have not been treated with dignity and respect. Home Care, and Complications. At CVH, we respect the rights of our patients, their role in making decisions about medical treatment, and all aspects of their care. 9, G., 2008 and Am, 12:00 2008b. * Get to know the whole person you're caring for, body, mind and spirit, and consciously incorporate that knowledge into your care. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. The Dignity in Care campaign. October, 17 and Association, 2014By The Press n.d. During this process family, defined as anyone significantly close to the patient, are spoken to as the are better equipped to know this information (RCP, 2013). Staff must make sure that people have privacy when they receive treatment and that they are supported to wash, bath, use the toilet and hold private conversations. MillerOct. 11. These include maintaining peoples dignity, treating people with respect and respecting peoples right to privacy confidentiality which continues after death (NMC, 2018). No plagiarism, guaranteed!
*You can also browse our support articles here >. Finally, and possibly most importantly from a wider care perspective when talking about the obligation of staff to maintain dignity and respect, not speaking to the patient, or speaking about the patient as if they are not there could be regarded as treating them as a shell, somehow less human. As we ourselves want to be treated. Opines that autonomy is another value that they cherish in patient care, as it gives control and right to the individual to make choices. WebDefines dignity as the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed. WebIn Western countries, measures to maintain dignity in patients' care include maintaining privacy of the body, providing spatial privacy, giving sufficient time, treating patients as Start a conversation and learn something new. This applies to all levels of leadership. Activities are also important for social inclusion and so crafts or hobbies and arranging group activities like this will help forge inclusion. On admittance he had a craniotomy and evacuation of the left subdural hematoma and a tracheostomy inserted. Detailed. Respect is an essential component of a high-performance organization. However, these actions alone do not ensure patient dignity; gowns cover a persons body, but they may still feel undressed. The following is their Top 10 list of ways to show respect: A culture of respect also recognizes that everyone in the organization plays a meaningful role in the ability to care for patients. Knowing what to say and how to deal with distraught patients is one of many aspects These are used for prolonged ventilation, to deliver oxygen to the lungs and remove secretions from the airway in patients who may have an obstructed airway (Balentine, n.d). The patient was prescribed other medications PRN including diazepam and stronger analgesics. Though in this interaction it was at the nurses discretion which PRN medications to administer, overall it is the responsibility of the senior physician to decide which treatment is utilised and which would been futile or cruel. Outside work Jane enjoys playing music, learning foreign languages and swimming in the sea even when it is far too cold for comfort! CQC must refuse registration if providers cannot satisfy us that they can and will continue to comply with this regulation. Day to day, maintaining the dignity of and respecting of all patients is more difficult than it initially sounds. Creating a culture of respect requires action on many fronts. In many cases doing this goes hand in hand with providing dignity and respect in care. Let others benefit from yours. treating patients with respect and dignity can make the difference in their response to illness. National Dignity Council 2008. A key part of treating a client with dignity and respect is making sure their privacy is respected. To meet this regulation, providers must make sure that they provide care and treatment in a way that ensures people's dignity and treats them with respect at all times. This partially due to there being a question over whether the patient can hear or understand. A study comparing the effects of different treatments for advanced RCC found that those patients taking atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab had milder symptoms and reported less impairment with daily life, although they still reported considerable difficulties related to living with cancer and its treatment. When providing intimate or personal care, provider must make every reasonable effort to make sure that they respect people's preferences about who delivers their care and treatment, such as requesting staff of a specified gender/sex. Things dont always go as planned. In 2012, Virginia Mason launched a Respect for People initiative that engaged all of their employees in approaches to respecting one another in the workplace. Inclusion means being respectful regardless of position or title. This includes making sure that people have privacy when they need and want it, treating them as equals and providing any support they might need to be autonomous, independent and involved in their local community. Treating the elderly with dignity and respect is central to home care. 4 Blackfan Circle
Much of the time when dignity in care is spoken about it focuses on maintenance within interactions and how patients are treated by staff however other definitions add that factors other such as environment and culture can influence someones dignity. Nursing times, February, 5 and 2010 Awareness in vegetative patients. Meet the Team examples of treating patients with dignity and respect. Mental Health Awareness A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY OF CARE is all about making sure you are totally focused on providing high-quality care that encompasses all NHS guidelines, policies, and operational practices. Using respectful language and gestures promotes dignity [1] According to Islamic bioethics, Patient must be treated with respect and compassion and that the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of the illness experience be taken into account [5]. Providers must make sure that they treat people using services with dignity and respect.
It can be hard to find the time for a quick 10-minute one-to-one conversation, but it is extremely important to wellbeing. Listen to and encourage each other's opinions and input. There are safeguards in place to protect people when a deprivation of liberty is the only viable care option. [Accessed 9 May 2019]. Prolonged disorders of consciousness: national clinical guidelines. Food and nutrition is important. These incorporate the patients past wishes, beliefs and values (Cardiff-York Research Centre, 2013). People want to feel empowered to make their own decisions even when there are tight restrictions on their behavior. In nursing homes (also called long-term care, sub-acute care or post-acute care facilities), treating residents and patients with dignity and respect is not only a feel-good Apologize. As a result, awareness of the principle of respect for patients and families was increased, and respect and dignity became a metric tracked by senior leaders and institutional governance. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. B. Let's make care better together.
Nurses' professional standards of practice and behaviour are underpinned by values of equality and diversity. The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. examples of treating patients with dignity and respect.
WebGive three examples of how a nurse can show dignity and respect to a patient regardless of social, economic status, Three ways that nurses can treat patients with dignity and respect are to: 1. Browser Support 2017. 260-270. Include them in decisions about their care, whether it's a surgery or taking medication; 2. Treat people with dignity by showing respect even if you disagree with them. The interaction centred around an administration of medication. Demonstrate respect for self, others, and your community.
Example: Listen to a clients concerns about your organization, rather than just hearing his or her words while youre trying to formulate a response in your head. This is a valid and reliable 25-item, self-administered questionnaire aimed at investigating dignity-related issues known to affect the sense of dignity of advanced cancer patients. Dignity is about interpersonal behaviours as well as systems and processes. When I was finished, I informed the patient and double checked the peg was closed and wouldnt leak. Let your inclusive behavior light a path for others. b. Many care environments can be challenging, and sadly there is a culture in some care homes and nursing homes of a callous indifference to the people who are dependent upon care. Differences are barriers only if we allow them to be. Acknowledge each person's basic dignity . Webexamples of treating patients with dignity and respect. I was both shocked and appalled at the callous attitude of the nursing staff on the ward5 I found my mum's dignity was non-existent in their eyes7 There were problems with preserving dignity and individuality when meeting patients' essential needs8 The GP just says confused. She's never explained it8 Always ask your resident what they want to eat from the choices available and help them to enjoy their meal. Here are some possible reasons why that happens: It is unnatural in the face of conflict, We do not realize it drives safety and better results. Look for ways to give people a couple of options from which to choose, rather than a single choice you have selected for them. We all like to be listened to, after all, and engaging in some quality time with the people in your care can be enriching for both parties. Note that this approach is listed first to highlight: That you have implicit biases (unconscious stereotypes, hidden prejudices), Your implicit biases will affect your actions unless consciously addressed, If not addressed, the resulting actions can result in bad outcomes, Seeing the world through the eyes of others helps mitigate the impact of implicit biases, which develop over the course of a lifetime through life experiences, family biases, media, and cultural messages. The patient in appendix 1 also had a catheter in place. Leape LL, Shore MF, Dienstag JL, Mayer RJ, Edgman-Levitan S, Meyer GS, Healy GB. Kindness, compassion and respect Cultural sensitivity A non-judgemental attitude. WebConclusion: Dignity was preserved when the ambulance nurse showed respect and protected the patient in prehospital emergency care. To make this easier, lets take a look at some examples. Finding out about your residents background can often be extremely interesting and it will give you a deeper insight into how they see themselves. In truth it does not take too much adjustment in order to turn this around. As adults. Though patients in vegetative states may not be as aware of this once in a lifetime. WebThe following are some examples from people when they felt their dignity was not respected: Feeling neglected or ignored whilst receiving care Being made to feel We are not accustomed to depending on people to wash us and take us to the toilet.
People using the service should be addressed in the way they prefer. ensuring the privacy of the service user; supporting the autonomy, independence and involvement in the community of the service user; having due regard to any relevant protected characteristics (as defined in section 149(7) of the Equality Act 2010) of the service user. Patient dignity-related distress was assessed before and after the DT intervention through the Italian version of the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) . Alongside my mentor, I approached the patient after drawing the curtain around to give the patient privacy. Give your patient a name-based welcome. We recommend using one of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari. So read the list and follow the tips, and learn how to start making the world a better place for ALL to live: Your email address will not be published. This is further facilitated through respecting patients by not being judgmental, maintaining their dignity However, when disrespectful behavior occurs, it must be addressed consistently and effectively regardless of whom it stems from. Being treated without basic respect or with a disregard of their own preferences, will make a difficult situation even worse for them to bear. You may already be applying these five approaches for showing people respect in many of your interactions. 10(2)(c) having due regard to any relevant protected characteristics (as defined in section 149(7) of the Equality Act 2010) of the service user . Your information helps us decide when, where and what to inspect. Personal hygiene, practical assistance and privacy often fall into the same category of areas where maintaining dignity is important. The UKs Royal College of Nursing provides a useful definition of dignity in relation to nursing care, which can be applied to the health care field more generally: Dignity is concerned with how people feel, think and behave in relation to the worth or value of themselves and others. However, again, in this instance, this is not possible (Buchini et al 2014). Because several elements can influence health communicationincluding behaviors, language, customs, beliefs, and perspectivescultural respect is also critical for achieving accuracy in medical research. People using services must not be discriminated against in any way and the provider must take account of protected characteristics, set out in the Equality Act 2010. * Look beyond the failing body, the walker, the oxygen tank, to see the person. Communication. Each person's privacy must be maintained at all times including when they are asleep, unconscious or lack capacity.