Table 4.
Themes, frequencies and example quotations of patient views on the DTQP (N = 29)
| Main Category | Themes | Frequency M / W | Example Quotation (ID) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title of the intervention (Dignity Therapy ➔ Würdezentrierte Therapie) | The title conveys dignity until the end | 1 / - | The title conveys that my entire existence is dignified and I am taken seriously as long as I am alive. I want to be appreciated. (M 136) |
| Dignity conveys respect | 6 / 1 | Dignity means to accept the person and respect him or her as he or she is. (M 163) | |
| Dignity is an attitude | 4 / - | Dignity evokes the idea of appreciating your own life story. (M 128) | |
| Therapy is irritating | 4 / - | Therapy is an action and I don’t see how this goes together with dignity. (M 202) | |
| Therapy conveys help | 11 / 2 | Therapy conveys a helpful technique to solve a problem. (M 43) | |
| The title is not informative | 8 / 2 | First I couldn’t understand anything with the title. I had no idea what kind of technique this therapy could be. (M 43) | |
| The title is suitable | 8 / 5 | The title is suitable for this intervention as it means to reflect about what was important in your life. (W 23) | |
| Dignity Therapy Question Protocol | Everything is addressed | 3 / 2 | The questions cover everything like a comprehensive frame. (M 99) |
| Open questions provoke reflection | 4 / 1 | The questions force you to think back and reminisce about what you have gone through. (W 54) | |
| The DTQP is coherent | 5 / 7 | I think it was coherent and every question fits; it combines theoretical and practical aspects. (M 117) | |
| The questions in the DTQP make sense | 6 / 1 | The questions are all emotional, some make you cry, some make you laugh about something, but it’s always liberating. (W 23) | |
| The DTQP contains duplications | 3 / 2 | Question no. 8 and no. 9 are similar. (W 007) | |
| Some questions are difficult | 5 / 2 | It’s difficult to respond to questions that are partly very personal – but it works. (M 83) | |
| There are no upsetting questions | 5 / - | The questions were alright. None of them was disruptive. (M 92) | |
| Wording of individual questions | There are no disruptive words | 3 / - | There were no specific words that were upsetting. (M 21) |
| Question 5: Change “Remit” (Aufgabenbereiche) to “Roles” (Rollen) | 1 / - | I think it would be better to ask for roles instead of remits. (M 43) | |
| Question 2: The word “alive” (lebendig) is moving | 3 / - | I like the word ‘alive’ because it encompasses everything and is different from being happy or cheerful. (M 57) | |
| Question 8, 9, 10: Relatives mentioned should be personalized | - / 1 | For me, I would replace relatives with children. (W 007) | |
| Question 7: “Accomplishments” (Leistungen) and “Pride” (Stolz) are connoted positively | 2 / - | Pride and accomplishments belong to us by nature; it’s something positive. (M 129) | |
| Question 7: “Pride” (Stolz) is connoted negatively | 2 / - | The word “pride” is too strong and should be replaced with contentment. (M 136) | |
| Question 12: “Advice” (Rat) should be replaced | - / 1 | The word ‘advice’ is disruptive because I think everyone lives his or her own life. (W 23) | |
| Set of questions actually asked during DT interview | The photo metaphor is well received | 1 / | The question regarding memories as if looking through a photo album is nice. (M 43) |
| All questions elicited a response | 3 / - | Any question asked was okay, so that it [the interview] was genuine. (M 83) | |
| Questions concerning loved ones are emotionally evocative | 3 / 1 | It is important to talk about the emotional things although they trigger sadness. (W 23) | |
| Additional questions arise situational | 3 / - | The DTQP provides the questions to give me an idea of what the interview is about – additional questions come up as we go along. (M 129) | |
| The interview atmosphere contributes to a successful DT interview | 3 / - | The Therapist was very good; I don’t think I have opened up that much with many people. (M 136) |