Background: Palliative care offers a unique skill set in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with expertise in advance care planning, symptom management, family communication, end-of-life care, and bereavement. However, few studies have explored palliative care's role during the pandemic and changes in perceptions and utilization of the specialty among health and spiritual care providers and hospital leaders.
Objective: To explore the utilization, perceptions, and understanding of palliative care among critical care clinicians, hospital leaders, and spiritual care providers during the pandemic.
Design: We conducted a qualitative study employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews.
Setting/participants: We conducted the study at a tertiary academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Between August and October 2020, we interviewed 25 participants from 3 informant groups: (1) critical care physicians, (2) hospital leaders, and (3) spiritual care providers.
Results: Respondents recognized that palliative care's role increased in importance during the pandemic. Palliative care served as a bridge between providers, patients, and families; supported provider well-being; and contributed to hospital efficiency. The pandemic reinforced participants' positive perceptions of palliative care, increased their understanding of the scope of the specialty's practice, and inspired physicians to engage more with palliative care. Respondents indicated the need for more palliative care providers and advocated for their role in bereavement support and future pandemic response.
Conclusion: Findings highlight evolving and increased utilization of palliative care during the pandemic, suggesting a need for greater investment in palliative care programs and for palliative care involvement in public health emergency preparedness and response.
Keywords: COVID-19; critical care; health personnel; palliative care; pandemic; qualitative research.