Sacrifice and solidarity: a qualitative study of family experiences of death and bereavement in critical care settings during the pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pandemic-related restrictions are expected to continue to shape end-of-life care and impact the experiences of dying hospitalised patients and their families.

Objective

To understand families' experiences of loss and bereavement during and after the death of their loved one amidst the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Setting

Three acute care units in a Canadian tertiary care hospital.

Participants

Family members of 28 hospitalised patients who died from March-July 2020.

Main outcome measures

Qualitative semistructured interviews conducted 6-16 months after patient death inquired about family experiences before and beyond the death of their loved one and garnered suggestions to improve end-of-life car

SUBMITTER: Dennis B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8771806 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature