Identifying barriers and facilitators to palliative care integration in the management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A qualitative study.
Palliat Med
; 36(6): 945-954, 2022 06.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1794155
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Palliative care is well suited to support patients hospitalized with COVID-19, but integration into care has been variable and generally poor.AIM:
To understand barriers and facilitators of palliative care integration for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.METHODS:
Internists, Intensivists and palliative care physicians completed semi-structured interviews about their experiences providing care to patients with COVID-19. Results were analysed using thematic analysis.RESULTS:
Twenty-three physicians (13 specialist palliative care, five intensivists, five general internists) were interviewed; mean ± SD age was 42 ± 11 years and 61% were female. Six thematic categories were described including patient and family factors, palliative care knowledge, primary provider factors, COVID-19 specific factors, palliative care service factors, and leadership and culture factors. Patient and family factors included patient prognosis, characteristics that implied prognosis (i.e., age, etc.), and goals of care. Palliative care knowledge included confidence in primary palliative care skills, misperception that COVID-19 is not a 'palliative diagnosis', and the need to choose quantity or quality of life in COVID-19 management. Primary provider factors included available time, attitude, and reimbursement. COVID-19 specific factors were COVID-19 as an impetus to act, uncertain illness trajectory, treatments and outcomes, and infection control measures. Palliative care service factors were accessibility, adaptability, and previous successful relationships. Leadership and culture factors included government-mandated support, presence at COVID planning tables, and institutional and unit culture.CONCLUSION:
The study findings highlight the need for leadership support for formal integrated models of palliative care for patients with COVID-19, a palliative care role in pandemic planning, and educational initiatives with primary palliative care providers.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Palliat Med
Journal subject:
Health Services
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
02692163221087162
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