A multi-centre study on patients dying from COVID-19: communication between clinicians, patients and their families

Everitt, R; Wong, AK; Wawryk, O; Le, B; Yoong, J; Pisasale, M; Mendis, R; Philip, J

Author(s): Everitt, R; Wong, AK; Wawryk, O; Le, B; Yoong, J; Pisasale, M; Mendis, R; Philip, J;
Details: Publication Year 2022,Volume 52,Issue #12,Page 2068-2075
Journal Title: Internal Medicine Journal
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has led to challenges in providing effective and timely communication in healthcare. Services have been required to adapt and evolve as successful communication remains core to high-quality patient-centred care. AIM: To describe the communication between admitted patients, their families and clinicians (medical, nursing, allied health) during end-of-life care. METHODS: This retrospective review included all patients (n = 230) who died directly due to COVID-19 at five Melbourne hospitals between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Contacts and modality used (face to face, video, telephone) during the 8 days prior to death were recorded. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly elderly (median age 86 years) and from residential aged care facilities (62%; n = 141). Communication frequency increased the closer the patient was to death, where on day of death, contact between clinicians and patients was 93% (n = 213) clinicians and families 97% (n = 222) and between patients and families 50% (n = 115). Most contact between patients and families was facilitated by a clinician (91.3% (n = 105) day of death) with the most commonly used mode being video call (n = 30 day of death). CONCLUSION: This study is one of the first and largest Australian reports on how communication occurs at the end of life for patients dying of COVID-19. Contact rates were relatively low between patients and families, compared with other cohorts dying from non-COVID-19 related causes. The impact of this difference on bereavement outcomes requires surveillance and attention.
Keywords: Aged; Humans; Aged, 80 and over; *covid-19; Australia/epidemiology; *Terminal Care; Communication; Patients; Palliative Care
Department(s): Palliative Care
PubMed ID: 35471707
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15788
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2024-10-24 04:09:59

Last Modified: 2024-10-24 04:10:44