Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique health and social challenges for hospice patients, their families, and care providers. This qualitative study explored the impact of the pandemic on this population through the experiences and perceptions of social workers in hospice care. A survey was distributed through national and local listservs to social work practitioners throughout the United States between May 15 and June 15, 2020. The study was designed to learn the following: (1) Concerns patients experienced as a result of the pandemic, (2) strengths/resilience factors for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) the personal and professional impact of the pandemic on social workers. Themes uncovered in hospice care included isolation, barriers to communication, disruption of systems, issues related to grieving, family and community support, adaptation, and perspective. The authors provide recommendations for social work practice related to virtual communication, emergency planning, and evidence-based intervention for Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder. Recommendations for policy include uniform essential worker status for social workers, telehealth reimbursement and expanded caregiver respite benefits.

摘要

COVID-19 大流行给临终关怀患者、他们的家人和护理提供者带来了独特的健康和社会挑战。这项定性研究通过社会工作者在临终关怀中的经验和看法，探讨了大流行对这一人群的影响。2020 年 5 月 15 日至 6 月 15 日期间，通过全国和地方列表服务向美国各地的社会工作从业者分发了一项调查。该研究旨在了解以下内容：(1) 对患者因大流行而经历的担忧，(2 ) COVID-19 大流行期间患者的优势/恢复力因素，以及 (3) 大流行对社会工作者的个人和专业影响。在临终关怀中发现的主题包括孤立、沟通障碍、系统中断、与悲伤有关的问题、家庭和社区支持、适应, 和观点. 作者为与虚拟沟通、应急计划和持续性复杂丧亲症的循证干预相关的社会工作实践提供了建议。政策建议包括为社会工作者提供统一的基本工作人员身份、远程医疗报销和扩大护理人员暂息福利。