COVID-19 and palliative care

Abstract

In the COVID-19 pandemic, where positive case and mortality rates have increased, the need for medical treatment is expected to exceed the capacity of the health system and especially the intensive care unit. Healthcare professionals are faced with difficult ethical decisions to prioritize intensive care unit care and ventilator support for patients with a higher chance of survival. The integration of palliative care into COVID-19 pandemic planning is crucial to preparing and equipping healthcare providers for unforeseen situations. Research examining the role of palliative care during the pandemic has focused on strategies for developing new palliative care models in the hospital setting. Guidelines are needed in line with the needs in subjects such as care with limited resources, withholding non-beneficial treatment, symptom control and palliative interventions, palliative care delivery methods, death and bereavement support.