PP-17 ‘COVID-19 pandemic, an inappropriate time to say goodbye?’: bereaved family members’ lived experience of end-of-life care: a qualitative study

<h3>Introduction</h3> The restrictive policies implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a huge impact on the quality of healthcare and, in particular, on end-of-life care, regardless of whether or not the patient is infected with SARS-CoV-2. The literature shows that, in the context of natural disasters, it is difficult to ensure the key principles of palliative care, such as communication, symptom management and family support. To date, there are no known studies in Portugal that explore how the bereaved experience end-of-life care and its implications for the bereavement process. <h3>Objective</h3> To understand the lived experience of the bereaved family members of people who died in palliative care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. <h3>Methodology</h3> A phenomenological-interpretative study, using in-depth individual interviews was conducted. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit bereaved people who lost their loved ones between November 2021 and June 2022 in two palliative care units in the central region of Portugal. The study followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies. <h3>Results</h3> 16 bereaved family members took part, mostly female (n=13), with children (n=8), aged between 22 and 72 (M=47.25; SD=12.58). Three categories were identified: (1) Navigating the last weeks and days of the loved one’s life, (2) Disturbances in farewell rituals - stolen moments and (3) Searching for readjustment after the loss. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our findings suggest that the development and promotion of a family-centred culture is fundamental, since the experience of illness is not only individual, but often shared with family or significant others. <h3>Impact</h3> These findings can support the implementation of organisational, structural and political measures in future public health emergencies.