Background: Palliative care (PC) programs worldwide are involved in caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with other professionals. Objectives: To determine health professionals' perceptions of the contributions of PC in COVID-19 care, and describe its effect on professionals' psychological distress. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting/Subjects: Physicians, advance practice providers, nurses, and case managers at two hospitals. Measurements: Seventeen-item questionnaire on demographics, contributions of PC, and psychological distress. Results: Of 427 health professionals invited to participate, 76 responded (18%). Among 64 eligible respondents, 72% were female, 56% were under the age 40, 40.6% were nurses, 28.1% were physicians, and 66% worked in the intensive care unit. The PC team was perceived as helpful in managing pain and other symptoms, coordinating care among providers, discussing end-of-life preferences, communicating with patients and families and supporting the care team. Median self-reported psychological distress was 7 (range 2-10). Twenty-five (39%) participants agreed that PC eased distress by communicating with patients, families, and other professionals, providing guidance in difficult conversations and offering companionship. Among respondents, 84% would likely work with PC in the future. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals perceived PC as helpful in caring for patients and families, and in easing their own psychological distress.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; health care providers; health professionals; palliative care; palliative medicine; psychological distress.