Palliative care strategies offer guidance to clinicians and comfort for COVID-19 patient and families

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Heart & Lung, 2020, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 227-228

Feder; Akgün; Kathleen M.; Schulman-Green, Dena

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a fast-moving, highly distressing global health crisis. Patients of all ages face daunting illness while healthcare systems struggle to meet the growing demand for services. The need for palliative care (PC) is likely to be substantial, and yet, PC specialists are in short supply. This article examines the special considerations in applying core PC principles during the COVID-19 crisis as well as targeted strategies to support patients and families.

Constructing stability - a classic grounded theory of next-of-kin in palliative cancer care

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BMC Palliative Care, 2020, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-9

Werkander, Harstade; Sandgren, Anna

Being next-of-kin to someone with cancer requiring palliative care involves a complex life situation. Changes in roles and relationships might occur and the next-of-kin thereby try to adapt by being involved in the ill person’s experiences and care even though they can feel unprepared for the care they are expected to provide. The aim of this study was to develop a classic grounded theory of next-of-kin in palliative cancer care. The theory shows the complexities of being next-of-kin to someone receiving palliative care, while striving to construct stability.