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Publication
Family Experiences of Loss and Bereavement in Palliative Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An InterpretativePhenomenological Study
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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly interrupted the grieving experiences of bereaved
families and drastically changed their ways of dealing with loss. Our study aims to gain an indepth
understanding of the lived experience of bereaved relatives of patients who died in
palliative care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. The phenomenological research design
included sixteen family members of hospitalized palliative patients who died from November
2021 to June 2022. The study involved conducting qualitative in-depth semi-structured
interviews with family members 12–24 months after the death of their loved ones. The
interviews aimed to gather information about the experiences of the families both before and
after the death. The COREQ guidelines were applied in the study. Participants were mainly
female (n = 13) with a mean age of 47.25 (SD = 12.58). Data were analysed using the
Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA). The following three categories were identified:
(1) navigating loved ones’ final weeks and days (troubled deaths); (2) the last farewell was
robbed; (3) looking for adjustment after loss. One overall main theme emerged, which was as
follows: “Struggling between stolen moments and painful losses to get back into the flow of
life”. This study provides novel insights into end-of-life care and bereavement from the
perspectives of family. Our findings suggest that developing and promoting family-centered
culture can lead to compassionate palliative care focused on a myriad ways of affirming that
their loved one matters.
Description
Keywords
Familiares enlutados Cuidados paliativos Morte Estudo qualitativo COVID- 19 Portugal