1.Perspectives of a “Good Death” among patients who have recovered from severe COVID-19, immediate family members of patients who have died from COVID-19, and health care providers who took care of patients who have died from COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital.
Ma. Lourdes Josefina K. Cabaluna ; Carla Ysabella B. Dofitas ; Belen L. Dofitas
Acta Medica Philippina 2022;56(18):17-27
Background. The premise of a "good death" is vital in delivering proper care of terminally-ill patients but the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new challenges and necessary protocols. There is a need to explore this gap in knowledge and understand perspectives of various stakeholders in COVID-19-related deaths.
Objectives. To describe the perception, barriers, and facilitators of a "good death" from COVID-19 survivors, relatives, and healthcare providers in the setting of a COVID-19 tertiary hospital.
Methods. The study was done in a COVID-19 tertiary hospital in Metro Manila from September to December 2021. Three groups of target respondents were invited to participate in the study: 8 survivors of severe/critical COVID-19, 9 close relatives of COVID-19 patients who had died, and 9 healthcare providers who directly cared for COVID-19 patients who had died. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted by video calls which explored themes on good death. Thematic analysis was also done.
Results. A total of 26 respondents were included in the study: 8 COVID-19 survivors, 9 relatives, and 9 healthcare providers. The definition of "Good Death" among the participants focused on "being at peace" and having "everything in order". The experience with COVID-19 were influenced by the fear of the infection and isolation restrictions during hospitalization. Recurring themes across all groups were the fear of COVID-19 and death, importance of family in the healthcare process, difficulty in communication, and cremation viewed as necessary but not preferred.
Conclusion. A "good death" is perceived as a peaceful, prepared experience. The main barriers of a "good death' were the strict restrictions on physically comforting and communicating with patients. Video/voice calls and compassionate health care providers facilitated a better hospitalization experience. Careful study and focus on these factors can improve interventions for terminally ill patients to achieve a "good death" in the Filipino socio-cultural context.
Death ; COVID-19 ; Perception
Result Analysis
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