Palliative care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and contributions

Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence on palliative care implementation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This is a scoping review based on the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EBSCO, Embase, PsycInfo (R) and Science Direct were analyzed using the descriptors "palliative care" and "coronavirus" and the keyword "COVID-19". Thirty studies were selected for analysis. Results: This review showed strategies for palliative care implementation using protocols and telemedicine, to facilitate communication, and showed how palliative therapy approach has been, revealing the need to promote comfort and welcoming patients and family members in times of pain and grief. Conclusion: The palliative care principles contribute to comprehensive care, but its implementation amidst the crisis is a challenge. It is important to provide conditions to apply it in the daily life of health services, even in pandemic scenarios.

Feelings of the nursing team in the face of COVID-19 in the care of the first patients: descriptive study

Objectives: to analyze the feelings and conflicts experienced by nursing professionals in the care of patients with COVID-19;to analyze the implementation of nursing care for the first patients with COVID-19 in an intensive care unit in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Method: qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research. Participants were 71 professionals from the nursing team who develop work activities in the fight against COVID-19 in an intensive care unit in the city of Rio de Janeiro, through online collection. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were used for the analyses. Results: the content analysis revealed feelings in the face of the unknown virus, fear of getting infected, fear of losing one’s life and care aspects in the face of the COVID-19 phenomenon. Conclusion: nursing presented feelings and conflicts, such as insecurity and fear. The group built knowledge and skills to handle the realization of this care in the pandemic, including creative aspects and collective construction. Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections;Nursing Care;Nursing Team. © 2022 Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing