Dignity therapy is a short-term psychotherapy used with patients towards the end of life to address existential distress. While the literature describes positive benefits of dignity therapy for patients and family, few studies have assessed organizational feasibility, including time to deliver the intervention and cost. Kelly, 2023 conducted a study to assess the effect and feasibility of introducing dignity therapy into an established, hospital-based cancer care service. Fifteen patients receiving systemic treatment for cancer at an Australian ambulatory cancer treatment centre were included in the randomised controlled trial. Patients randomized to the dignity therapy intervention reported lower distress compared to the control group at 4 weeks. The total average time to deliver dignity therapy was 10 hours, with most of the time spent transcribing and editing manuscripts. Time constraints of therapists and access to a quiet space were noted as resource limitations.
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