Exploring loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of qualitative studies

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about multiple losses to various groups, namely patients, families and healthcare professionals. Grief, which is the reaction to these losses, could cause strain on these individuals’ physical and mental health if not identified and managed early. This scoping review analysed loss, grief and how they were managed among these groups during the pandemic. Method: This scoping review utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews. Only qualitative studies relating to loss and grief and their management were included. Of 166 studies screened, 69 were included in the study. Qualitative analysis and data coding of each record were conducted through qualitative data analysis software. Results: Losses included the death of family members, patients, colleagues and others. They also included the loss of usual routines, lifestyles and physical health. The grief experienced was multidimensional, affecting mainly the emotional, physical, social and existential realms. Anger, guilt and fear resulted from unsatisfactory farewells, issues with funerals, social isolation, financial strain and stigmatisation. Management strategies could be categorised into 5 themes: communication, finance, counselling, education and spiritual care. Conclusion: Loss and grief identification and management among patients, family members and healthcare professionals are critically important during this COVID-19 pandemic. Current operating guidelines have proven insufficient in managing loss and grief. Innovative strategies are essential to tackle the many dimensions of loss and grief. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to better understand the effectiveness of implemented policies. Keywords: Bereavement, death, mourning, outbreak, palliative care

Grief Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in Spain

“…The reviews (3,(11)(12)(13) and qualitative research (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) published to date on the experiences of bereaved people during COVID-19 all point to two main obstacles to the development of grief: not being able to say goodbye or be there at the end, and the di culties and changes in the way funeral rituals were carried out. Some of these studies have framed their ndings within one of the main theoretical models of grief, the Dual Process Model (DPM) (3,18).…”

“…For example, studies of grief during COVID-19 have looked at both the inability to say goodbye and changes in funeral rituals as stressors associated with grief. These stressors would trigger responses such as anger and guilt (12,18) and di culties in accepting the loss (11.18-19). In terms of the stressors associated with moving on, this theoretical model suggests that, in the context of the pandemic, these would include restrictions on support systems and social and recreational activities (3,12,18).…”

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on loss and grief

“…11,12 Many have a difficult recovery back to their usual baseline; additionally, some experienced a sense of isolation when hospitalised, feeling that they had been abandoned by their relatives. 12 In this issue of the Annals, Tao et al 13 published a scoping review on loss and grief in various groups such as patients, families and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It described the grief experienced during the pandemic to be multidimensional, affecting the mental, social, physical and existential realms.…”

Analysis of the Demands of Patients at the Service of Applied Psychology at Puc-Rio

“…The losses and grief felt during this period of crisis constitute risk factors for the development of psychological disorders, even to a greater degree when these feelings are not properly supported. Loss and grief identification and management among patients, family members, and healthcare professionals are critically important during the COVID-19 pandemic [35]. Studies indicate that current operating guidelines have proven insufficient in managing loss and grief, calling attention to the need for new strategies to tackle the many dimensions of such feelings [35].…”

“…Loss and grief identification and management among patients, family members, and healthcare professionals are critically important during the COVID-19 pandemic [35]. Studies indicate that current operating guidelines have proven insufficient in managing loss and grief, calling attention to the need for new strategies to tackle the many dimensions of such feelings [35].…”