Death and dying during COVID-19: The role of health care workers

Abstract

A correspondence to an article published in this journal showed that anticipatory grieving and loss during the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic ultimately affects the lives of the family of the bereaved. Advocacy of the health care workers to the patient and their loved ones is necessary. This is where the role of health care workers appears to be important as they, in a sense, serve as a bridge to the dying patient and the grieving family.

infectious disease, morbidity and mortality, public health

A correspondence to an article published in this journal showed that anticipatory grieving and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately affects the lives of the family of the bereaved.¹ Health care workers take care of not just patients but also of the patients’ loved ones because of the restrictions of COVID-19. This balancing act of being the connection between them by relaying food and messages to the patient from their loved ones and updating them regarding the status of the patient has become a necessity.

Advocacy of the health care workers to the patient and their loved ones is important. Especially during these challenging times wherein visits are limited to the use of cell phones and video calls. Being unable to visit because of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of not knowing if they will see each other again when they know that the patient might die, causes additional stress to the family members.

The final days or even weeks, of life, is undoubtedly a stressful event for the relatives of the dying patient which stretches until after death has transpired. COVID-19 was found to have a significant psychological impact on the relatives of patients who died from COVID-19.² It appears that presence plays a particular role as results show the importance of having connection and contact with the dying patient before they died. However, having scarce time and opportunity to grieve, the relatives need alternative ways to connect and bid farewell to their loved ones. Because hospitals restrict visitations during the pandemic, relatives are not sufficiently reassured of the well-being of their loved one. The stress this event causes even increases when the patient becomes severe, and in turn, dies without having the opportune time to connect with their relatives.

This is where the role of health care workers appears to be important as they, in a sense, serve as a bridge to the dying patient and the grieving family. Health care workers have the essential task to lighten the lack of opportunity of relatives to connect with the dying patient during a pandemic. Health care workers have the most time spent with the dying patient; they are able to plan a peaceful death which will, in turn, provide better grief for the relatives of the patient as well.³ Health care workers may advocate a peaceful death by instilling good memories, uniting family members which may be done virtually, avoiding suffering through pain relief and by provision of privacy and dignity and dying quietly.⁴ These provide better opportunities for the relatives to grieve despite being restricted to connect physically with their loved ones.

John Federick C. Yap, Associate Professor

Louigie L. Garcia, Assistant Professor

Leizel D. Yap, Medical Specialist III