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Social isolation at the end of life: A case report of one person's journey navigating the medical landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2022

Monica T. Agosta Open the ORCID record for Monica T. Agosta [Opens in a new window] ,
Michael Tang Open the ORCID record for Michael Tang [Opens in a new window] ,
Cindy L. Carmack  and
Eduardo Bruera
Monica T. Agosta*
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Michael Tang
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cindy L. Carmack
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Eduardo Bruera
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
*
Author for correspondence: Monica T. Agosta, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 1414, Houston, TX 77030, USA. E-mail: mtagosta@mdanderson.org
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Abstract

Background

In addition to physical symptom burden, psychological suffering at end of life (EOL) is quite pervasive. As such, the interdisciplinary team in our Palliative and Supportive Care Unit strives to provide quality care sensitive to the physical and psychosocial needs of patients. Involving and allowing for the presence of family members is one way in which we afford our patients some additional comfort. Unfortunately, the current pandemic has placed limitations on this rather fundamental need for both patients and their family members. Here, we present a case illustrating the effects of visitor restrictions/isolation due to COVID-19 on the suffering of a patient at the EOL.

Case description

A male in his 20s with a refractory hematologic malignancy decided to pursue a comfort-based approach to care after a rapid clinical deterioration. Due to visitor restrictions, he had to face this decision with limited support at the bedside, which caused significant distress. He was forced to choose among several immediate family members who would be at his side through his hospitalization, to be his advocate, at times his voice, his confidant, and the person to relay all information to those on the outside. He expressed a wish to be married before he died, which occurred in our palliative care unit. This life goal was one we would normally encourage those he loved to gather around him, but this was not possible. He passed peacefully two days after he was married.

Conclusion

Although social limitations are necessary to help provide safety to the patients and staff in a hospital, they can have a direct impact on the suffering of patients and families at the EOL. Helping to maintain dignity, reflect on their life, and resolve any conflicts in the presence of family members is a benchmark for providing quality palliative care. Being barred from visitation due to isolation, threatens this care and lays the foundation for complicated grief among family members. Further research is needed to help balance the needs of those at the EOL with public safety. One such measure to help ease distress is to allow for more virtual visitation through electronic measures.

Keywords

COVID-19End of lifePalliative carePandemicSocial isolation
Type
Case Report
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 20 , Issue 6 , December 2022 , pp. 900 - 903
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Both authors contributed equally.

References

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