Journal article
Dignity therapy online: Piloting an online psychosocial intervention for people with terminal illness
Digital Health, Vol.6, pp.1-8
2020
Abstract
Objective
Dignity therapy is a life review intervention shown to reduce distress and enhance the quality of life for people with a terminal illness and their families. Dignity therapy is not widely used in clinical practice because it is time and cost prohibitive. This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of dignity therapy delivered through therapist-supported web-based delivery to reduce costs, increase time efficiency, and promote access to treatment.
Methods
This study employed a one-group pre-test post-test design to pilot methods. Australian adults diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less were recruited for the study. The primary outcome measure was a Participant Feedback Questionnaire used in previous face-to-face dignity therapy studies. Data regarding therapist time and details about final documents were recorded.
Results
Six people were recruited; four chose to complete the intervention via video conference and two chose email. Participants reported high levels of acceptability and efficacy comparable to face-to-face delivery; meanwhile therapist time was about 40% less and legacy documents were longer. Participants described dignity therapy online as convenient, but technological issues may create challenges.
Conclusions
Online delivery of dignity therapy is feasible and acceptable, reduces therapist time and clinical cost, and appears to reach people who would not otherwise receive the therapy. Dignity therapy via email may have the greatest potential to reduce time and cost barriers. This pilot study demonstrates a need for further research to determine the full benefits of online delivery of dignity therapy.
Details
- Title
- Dignity therapy online: Piloting an online psychosocial intervention for people with terminal illness
- Authors/Creators
- B. Bentley (Author/Creator)M. O’Connor (Author/Creator)A. Williams (Author/Creator)L.J. Breen (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Digital Health, Vol.6, pp.1-8
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Identifiers
- 991005544296607891
- Copyright
- © 2020 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Nursing
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.112 Palliative Care
- 1.112.237 End-of-Life Care
- Web Of Science research areas
- Health Care Sciences & Services
- Health Policy & Services
- Medical Informatics
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine