The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Needs of Non-Infected Patients and Their Families in Palliative Care—Interviews with Those Concerned

Abstract

During humanitarian crises, such as a pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide face unknown challenges. This study aimed to explore and describe the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the needs of non-infected patients and family caregivers in specialist palliative care, using qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis, following the framework approach. Thirty-one interviews were conducted with patients/family caregivers (15/16) in palliative care units/specialist palliative home care (21/10) from June 2020 to January 2021. Well-known needs of patients and family caregivers at the end of life remained during the pandemic. Pandemic- dependent themes were (1) implications of the risk of contagion, (2) impact of the restriction of social interactions, (3) effects on the delivery of healthcare, and (4) changes in the relative’s role as family caregiver. Restriction on visits limited family caregivers’ ability to be present in palliative care units. In specialist palliative home care, family caregivers were concerned about the balance between preserving social contacts at the end of life and preventing infection. Specialist palliative care during a pandemic needs to meet both the well-known needs at the end of life and additional needs in the pandemic context. In particular, attention should be given to the needs and burden of family caregivers, which became more multifaceted with regards to the pandemic.