Community preferences for the allocation of scarce healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this thematic review is to examine the literature on the publics' preferences of scarce medical resource allocation during COVID-19.

Study design

Literature review.

Methods

A review of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus was performed between December 2019 and June 2022 for eligible articles.

Results

Fifteen studies using three methodologies and spanning five continents were included. Five key themes were identified: (1) prioritise the youngest; (2) save the most lives; (3) egalitarian allocation approaches; (4) prioritise healthcare workers; and (5) bias against particular groups. The public gave high priority to allocation that saved the most lives, particularly to patients who are younger and healthcare workers. Themes present bu

SUBMITTER: Dowling A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9212404 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature