Abstract
<jats:p>Dignity is a central principle of healthcare, encompassing intrinsic human worth and socially mediated recognition. This chapter examines dignity from philosophical, ethical, and sociocultural perspectives across clinical practice, palliative care, serious mental illness, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Dignity is conceptualized as both inherent and socially attributed, shaped by interpersonal relationships, institutional practices, and cultural contexts. In clinical settings, safeguarding dignity promotes trust, therapeutic alliance, and patient well-being, while its violation leads to dehumanization and disengagement. Frameworks such as Chochinov's Dignity Model highlight the roles of autonomy, identity, and sociocultural context, as well as the connection between dignity and meaning in life. The chapter also considers threats to dignity in serious mental illness and forensic psychiatry and explores the ethical implications of AI in healthcare, arguing that dignity must remain central to compassionate and equitable care.</jats:p>