Sacrifice and Solidarity During COVID Pandemic
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This study explores the experiences of family members who have lost loved ones in critical care settings during the first wave of the pandemic.
Profound loss and enduring grief were described by family members whose final connections to their loved one were constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic. These key findings are described in detail in a recent article published in BMJ Open, entitled “Sacrifice and solidarity: a qualitative study of family experiences of death and bereavement in critical care settings during the pandemic.” This study led by internal medicine resident Dr. Brittany Dennis, explores the experiences of family members who have lost loved ones in critical care settings during the first wave of the pandemic. The story told in these narratives is one of tragedy, but also one of hope. Despite immense suffering and sacrifices made in surrendering their hospital visits to minimize transmission risk, families reported acquiescence in the name of public health. Providing a voice for heartbroken family members was an important objective of this work, which invoked the concept of social solidarity and safeguarding the community, as well as deep appreciation for the clinical staff caring for their loved one, which alleviated some of their distress.
Dr. Dennis describes, “We need to improve the experience for dying patients and their loved ones. This work provides some suggestions garnered by grieving families. Prioritization of frequent, even brief family updates, enabling sensitive and well-prepared digital solutions, and attention to patients with language, physical, or cognitive impairments are key. Honouring individual patients through the 3 Wishes Project and engaging with families to hear about their harrowing experiences losing a loved one, we did not let compassion become another casualty in this pandemic. Colleagues in general medicine, critical care, palliative care, spiritual care, nursing and social work at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton enabled this work. The privilege of hearing these stories was one of the most important and enlightening experiences I have ever been through, as a physician, researcher, and human being.”
The study was supported by the Paul O’Byrne Research Grant ($5,000.00) in addition to the PSI Resident Research Grant ($30,000.00). Department of Medicine coauthors include Drs. Daniel Brandt Vegas, Joanna Dionne, Andrew Cheung, Jessica Huynh, Mark Soth, Anne Boyle and supervisor Deborah Cook.
Dr. Dennis is a PGY3 internal medicine resident. She previously completed her PhD in the Health Research Methods Program with Drs. Zena Samaan and Lehana Thabane in 2015. She earned multiple awards during this time including McMaster’s Dave Sackett Scholarship. She will be completing her general internal medicine training and starting the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Addiction Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Dennis will also be joining McMaster’s Clinician Investigator Program to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship with Stanford University. She has a passion for advancing care and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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