The Role of Palliative Care in Caring for the Families of Patients With COVID-19

Bakar, Melissa; Capano, Elizabeth; Patterson, Melissa; McIntyre, Brooke; Walsh, Chaplain Jean

doi:10.1177/1049909120931506

Cited by 21 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The role of palliative care for COVID-19 patients in the ICU has been well established. [25][26][27] Palliative care approaches provide opportunities to initiate goals-of-care conversations with family members to help them cope with uncertainty. 27 Moreover, the multi-disciplinary approach of palliative care facilitates the support of family members (i.e., providing frequent medical updates, social support, and enhancing communication with healthcare providers), 25 and the utilization of medications to manage pain and other distressing symptoms (i.e., anxiety and delirium) 26 may alleviate both patient and family suffering.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experiences of Family Members of Ventilated COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Chen

Wittenberg

Sullivan

et al. 2021

Am J Hosp Palliat Care

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Background: Visitor restrictions caused challenges for family members when their loved ones had coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and were ventilated. Limited studies have reported on family members’ experiences and support needs. Aim: To explore the experiences and support needs of family members of ventilated COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Design: Exploratory, qualitative design, using in-depth individual telephone interviews, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Setting/Participants: Ten family members of adult COVID-19 patients in the ICU. Result: Seven key themes represented family members’ experiences: (a) reactions to the COVID-19 diagnosis, (b) COVID-19 as a destabilizing force on the family unit, (c) COVID-19’s effects on bereavement outcomes, (d) desperately seeking information, (e) family member needs, (f) conflicting feelings about video calls, and (g) appreciation of care. Family members’ feelings about the patient’s diagnosis and how the virus was contracted exacerbated their stress and anxiety. They struggled to feel informed about care that they could not witness and had difficulty understanding information. Family members reported that video calls were unhelpful. While these experiences made them question the quality of care, they expressed their appreciation of the frontline healthcare providers taking care of their loved ones. Conclusion: The stress and uncertainty of family members of critically ill patients with COVID-19 were influenced by their inability to feel connected to the patient and informed about care. Healthcare providers should assess each individual family’s burden and preferences, and this should include establishing structured, timely, and consistent communication regarding patient care during the pandemic including early referral to palliative care.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experiences of Family Members of Ventilated COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Chen

Wittenberg

Sullivan

et al. 2021

Am J Hosp Palliat Care

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“…The paper review also the expected role of the care economy in flattening the mental health curve through improving the socio-behavioural changes in families. Bakar et al (2020), Power (2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-Emphasising the Future Family Role in ‘Care Economy’ as a Result of Covid-19 Pandemic Spillovers

Ahmed¹,

Buheji²,

Fardan³

2020

economics

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Many things have changed in the family's life since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families suffered conflicts, instability, and even divorce due to the sudden devastating pressures and negative spillovers effects that came as a result of the strict lockdown or social distancing. Other families exploited the opportunities that this pandemic brought and established stronger ties and bonding using its positive spillovers. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on families and how it would emphasis better 'care economy' practices; taking Bahrain as a context. The study used a quantitative analysis applied to a sample of 345 responses. Research results showed that there is an improvement in social care dimensions as a result of the lockdown or the pandemic which affected the family relationships and increased its related measures. The implication of this paper emphasises the positive role of the 'extended family' and its ability to mitigate any coming international crisis similar to COVID-19. This paper sees that we have a 'generation-defining moment' where care economy can take a returning path that use family cohesion to play a major part in flattening any mental health risks due to future international emergencies.

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“…Identifying ways that spiritual support may be provided for patients and families when requested is also important; one hospital in the United States describes facilitating “visits” during which spiritual leaders or clergy may pray outside of patient rooms or with family members. 81 When visitation is restricted, systems must also be developed for family communication. In Italy and South Africa, remote family visits through video calls and virtual family conferences have been used.…”

Section: Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pragmatic Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Healthcare Facilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cobb

Papali

Pisani³

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies are key in preventing nosocomial transmission of COVID-19. Several commonly used IPC practices are resource-intensive and may be challenging to implement in resource-constrained settings. An international group of healthcare professionals from or with experience in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) searched the literature for relevant evidence. We report on a set of pragmatic recommendations for hospital-based IPC practices in resource-constrained settings of LMICs. For cases of confirmed or suspected COVID-19, we suggest that patients be placed in a single isolation room, whenever possible. When single isolation rooms are unavailable or limited, we recommend cohorting patients with COVID-19 on dedicated wards or in dedicated hospitals. We also recommend that cases of suspected COVID-19 be cohorted separately from those with confirmed disease, whenever possible, to minimize the risk of patient-to-patient transmission in settings where confirmatory testing may be limited. We suggest that healthcare workers be designated to care exclusively for patients with COVID-19, whenever possible, as another approach to minimize nosocomial spread. This approach may also be beneficial in conserving limited supplies of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE). We recommend that visitors be restricted for patients with COVID-19. In settings where family members or visitors are necessary for caregiving, we recommend that the appropriate PPE be used by visitors. We also recommend that education regarding hand hygiene and donning/doffing procedures for PPE be provided. Last, we suggest that all visitors be screened for symptoms before visitation and that visitor logs be maintained.

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The Role of Palliative Care in Caring for the Families of Patients With COVID-19

Cited by 21 publications

References 6 publications

The Experiences of Family Members of Ventilated COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

The Experiences of Family Members of Ventilated COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Re-Emphasising the Future Family Role in ‘Care Economy’ as a Result of Covid-19 Pandemic Spillovers

Pragmatic Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Healthcare Facilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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