Universität zu Köln

Tielker, Jannik M., Weber, Jan P., Simon, Steffen T., Bausewein, Claudia, Stiel, Stephanie ORCID: 0000-0002-5963-2526 and Schneider, Nils (2021). Experiences, challenges and perspectives for ensuring end-of-life patient care: A national online survey with general practitioners in Germany. PLoS One, 16 (7). SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Background The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is posing major challenges for health care systems. In Germany, one such challenge has been that adequate palliative care for the severely ill and dying (with and without COVID-19), as well as their loved ones, has not been available at all times and in all settings., the pandemic has underlined the significance of the contribution of general practitioners (GPs) to the care of severely ill and dying patients. Objectives To describe GPs' experiences, challenges and perspectives with respect to end-of-life care during the first peak of the pandemic (spring 2020) in Germany. Materials and methods In November and December 2020, a link to an Unipark online survey was sent to GPs registered on nationwide distribution lists. Results In total, 410 GPs responded; 61.5% indicated that the quality of their patients' end-of-life care was maintained throughout the pandemic, 36.8% reported a decrease in quality compared to pre-pandemic times. Of the GPs who made home visits to severely ill and dying patients, 61.4% reported a stable number of visits, 28.5% reported fewer visits. 62.7% of the GPs reported increased telephone contact and reduced personal contact with patients; 36.1% offered video consultations in lieu of face-to-face contact. The GPs reported that relatives were restricted (48.5%) or prohibited from visiting (33.4%) patients in nursing homes. They observed a fear of loneliness among patients in nursing homes (91.9%), private homes (87.3%) and hospitals (86.1%). Conclusions The present work provides insights into the pandemic management of GPs and supports the development of a national strategy for palliative care during a pandemic. To effectively address end-of-life care, GPs and palliative care specialists should be involved in COVID-19 task forces on micro, meso and macro levels of health care.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Tielker, Jannik M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Weber, Jan P. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Simon, Steffen T. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Bausewein, Claudia UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Stiel, Stephanie UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-5963-2526 UNSPECIFIED Schneider, Nils UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-579132
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0254056
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS One
Volume:	16
Number:	7
Date:	2021
Publisher:	PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
Place of Publication:	SAN FRANCISCO
ISSN:	1932-6203
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language COVID-19; HEALTH Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/57913