The Challenges of Caring for People Dying From COVID-19: A Multinational, Observational Study (CovPall).
J Pain Symptom Manage
; 62(3): 460-470, 2021 09.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1068972
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT Systematic data on the care of people dying with COVID-19 are scarce. OBJECTIVES:
To understand the response of and challenges faced by palliative care services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify associated factors.METHODS:
We surveyed palliative care and hospice services, contacted via relevant organizations. Multivariable logistic regression identified associations with challenges. Content analysis explored free text responses.RESULTS:
A total of 458 services responded; 277 UK, 85 rest of Europe, 95 rest of the world; 81% cared for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, 77% had staff with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; 48% reported shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 40% staff shortages, 24% medicines shortages, 14% shortages of other equipment. Services provided direct care and education in symptom management and communication; 91% changed how they worked. Care often shifted to increased community and hospital care, with fewer admissions to inpatient palliative care units. Factors associated with increased odds of PPE shortages were charity rather than public management (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.81-5.20), inpatient palliative care unit rather than other settings (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.46-3.75). Being outside the UK was associated with lower odds of staff shortages (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.76). Staff described increased workload, concerns for their colleagues who were ill, whilst expending time struggling to get essential equipment and medicines, perceiving they were not a front-line service.CONCLUSION:
Palliative care services were often overwhelmed, yet felt ignored in the COVID-19 response. Palliative care needs better integration with health care systems when planning and responding to future epidemics/pandemics.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hospice Care
/
COVID-19
/
Hospices
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Systematic review/Meta Analysis
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Pain Symptom Manage
Journal subject:
Neurology
/
Psychophysiology
/
Therapeutics
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.jpainsymman.2021.01.138
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