Human Dimensions of Illness Experience

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In order to enhance the lives of the people they work with, it is essential health professionals consider the 'human' dimensions of illness and (dis)ability. This is perhaps particularly the case when people engaging in healthcare have chronic, progressive conditions.  'Human' dimensions include the emotional[1], phenomenological[2], social, existential, and moral[3] dimensions of illness experiences that combine and interact with the physical/biological dimensions. These aspects of the illness experiences can include factors such as dealing with disability stigma[4], creating meaningful shortened lives, and managing family interactions.[5]

There may often be a discrepancy between the importance clinicians place on these human dimensions and what actually happens in the clinical setting[5].  Focusing on these aspects living with illness and (dis)ability can improve outcomes for both the person with a disability and the clinician.  And of course, it is not just the understanding between the clinician and the client that is important, interactions within the multi-disciplinary team also have an impact on care.

Below are some tips to help health professionals think about the human dimensions of living with a chronic or progressive disability. The tips are based on a set of cards called 'Cards for Humanity' (available for printing - see below) which were an output from a 3-year project[6][7][8] investigating how clinicians did (or did not) attend to the human elements of living with muscular dystrophy. They were designed for clinicians working in children's neuromuscular outpatient settings but have been usefully used in many settings including education and mentorship across disciplines.

Some Examples from the 'Cards for Humanity'[edit | edit source]

Learning to Attend to the 'Human' Aspects – Upskilling[edit | edit source]

CFH 13 Upskilling Front.png

Clinicians can enhance the human aspects of client and family lives by improving understanding of:

  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Spirituality, meaning-making, religion
  • Addressing and supporting 'negative' emotions
  • Self-care for clinicians
  • Coping with client death and decline
  • Sexuality and disability

Critical Reflexivity[edit | edit source]

CFH 9 Critical Reflexivity Front.png

‘Critical reflexivity’ (as used here) refers to processes of examining the assumptions underlying clinical practice including “beliefs, values, social and systemic structures” and “how such dimensions influence our daily professional practice”[9]. There is an emphasis on considering the unintended assumptions and effects of any actions including how power operates through individual health practices and broader systems of practice[10]. Critical reflexivity promotes change through challenging ingrained practices, roles and beliefs, and values.[11][12]

  • Reflexivity often requires time, space and facilitation.
  • Clinicians need to create time to think about the human aspects of care.
  • Both team and individual reflexivity are needed.
  • Think about how clinical care can address the emotional, social and personal aspects of clients' lives.

Creating Social Change[edit | edit source]

CFH 11 Social Change Front.png

The burden of changing systems and structures that disadvantage people with (dis)abilities often falls on clients/families. As a clinician, your voice has power.

Important areas for change include:

  • Reducing disability stigma
  • Improved accessibility
  • Better service availability


Difficult Topics[edit | edit source]

CFH 5 Difficult Topics Front.png

There are some topics that clinicians can find difficult to address, but are an important part of enhancing the client's illness experiences. 'Difficult topics' can include discussions about:

  • Puberty, sex, sexuality, gender identity
  • Disability stigma, bullying, discrimination
  • Decline, death, dying
  • Disease progression, the future

It is important that clinicians find ways to explore these 'difficult topics' with clients in appropriate ways.  Consider up-skilling in these areas if you think you would find them challenging.

Assumptions[edit | edit source]

CFH 8 Assumptions Front.png

Everyone has their own assumptions about what are the best ways to approach healthcare practice and living well with illness and (dis)ability. This can sometimes mean that we can unintentionally ignore the perspectives and preferences of clients and families. If clinicians are aware of their assumptions, they can work well with others to decide what is helpful. Assumptions:

  • Are reflected in the goals that clinicians think to be important or valuable (e.g. independence, activity, physical safety)
  • Might differ between/amongst clinicians and clients and families


Assumptions can affect perceptions and impact care. They can signal to clients what is expected, accepted, and considered 'normal'.

Sometimes clinicians need to let go of their assumptions to provide good care!

Language is Important[edit | edit source]

CFH 10 Language Front.png

Language has power and by acknowledging that you can improve the client’s experience and help to build a stronger connection.  Misunderstandings, bias or feelings of not being heard can negatively impact a client and the interactions between clients and clinicians. Where possible:

  • Foster an awareness of the unintended effects of what you say
  • Reduce the assumptions and biases underpinning what you say


Resources[edit | edit source]

The Cards for Humanity are available for download and printing here:

The cards are © 2019 Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. All rights reserved.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Setchell, J., Abrams, T., McAdam, L., & Gibson, B. E. (2019). Cheer* in healthcare practice: What it excludes and why it matters. Qualitative health research, 29(13), 1890-1903. doi:10.1177/1049732319838235
  2. Abrams, T., & Setchell, J. (2018). Living with death in rehabilitation: A phenomenological account. Human Studies, 41(4), 677-695. 
  3. Abrams, T., Setchell, J., Thille, P., Mistry, B., & Gibson, B. E. (2018). Affect, intensity, and moral assemblage in rehabilitation practice. Biosocieties, Online first. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41292-018-0115-2
  4. Setchell, J. (2017). What has stigma got to do with physiotherapy? Physiotherapy Canada, 69(1), 1-4. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Setchell, J., Thille, P., Abrams, T., McAdam, L., Mistry, B., & Gibson, B. E. (2018). Enhancing the human aspects of care with young people with Muscular Dystrophy: Results from a participatory qualitative study with clinicians. Child: Health, Care and Development, 44(2), 269-277. doi:doi:10.1111/cch.12526 
  6. Setchell, J., Thille, P., Abrams, T., McAdam, L., Mistry, B., & Gibson, B. E. (2018). Enhancing the human aspects of care with young people with Muscular Dystrophy: Results from a participatory qualitative study with clinicians. Child: Health, Care and Development, 44(2), 269-277. doi:doi:10.1111/cch.12526 
  7. Setchell, J., McAdam, L., Abrams, T., Thille, P., Mistry, B., & Gibson, B. E. A realist evaluation of a project to enhance the human aspects of DMD care. Forthcoming
  8. Thille, P., Gibson, B. E., Abrams, T., McAdam, L., Mistry, B., & Setchell, J. (2018). Enhancing the human dimensions of children's neuromuscular care: Piloting a methodology for fostering team reflexivity. Advances in Health Sciences Education, May 26(1-23). 
  9. Kinsella EA, Caty M, Ng S, Jenkins K. Reflective practice for allied health: Theory and applications. 2012.    
  10. Setchell, J., & Dalziel, B. (2019). Using critical reflexivity to enhance clinical care: A clinician perspective. Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation, May, 1-12. 
  11. Thille, P., Gibson, B. E., Abrams, T., McAdam, L., Mistry, B., & Setchell, J. (2018). Enhancing the human dimensions of children's neuromuscular care: Piloting a methodology for fostering team reflexivity. Advances in Health Sciences Education, May 26(1-23). 
  12. Tremblay MC, Richard L, Brousselle A, Beaudet N. Learning reflexively from a health promotion professional development program in Canada. Health promotion international. 2014 Sep 1;29(3):538-48.