The End-of-Life Experiences of Cancer Patients' Families in a Tertiary Hospital Providing Palliative Care Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and explore the experiences of families of patients with cancer who died in a tertiary hospital providing palliative care consultation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with bereaved families of patients with cancer who received palliative care consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital in Seoul. The data were analyzed using a phenomenological research method.

Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, families experienced anxiety and guilt due to the limitations of caregiving opportunities and became aware of the lack of existing support systems. Thematic analysis revealed four essential themes family agitation in uncertainty, palliative care that gives strength in isolated situations, reflection on the indescribable loss, and appealing to the world regarding the desperate need for a support system.

Conclusion: During the pandemic, families struggled to express love and fulfill caregiving roles, with caregivers facing increased emotional pressure and burnout. Communication between patients, families, and medical staff and comprehensive support for family members' end-of-life preparation are necessary. This will serve as basic data for understanding the experiences of families of dying patients with cancer at tertiary hospitals in the non-face-to-face era and for end-of-life care, including palliative care consultations in healthcare settings.

Keywords: Caregivers; Palliative care; Pandemics; Terminal care; Tertiary care centers.