Abstrait

Palliative Care considerations for patients with breathlessness under COVID19

Mohammed Abduh Alshaqi

COVID-19 has dramatically altered our world and health care systems. This pandemic has stressed the capacity of the hospital infrastructure, ICU beds and ventilatory support, post-acute and community care resources, hospital personnel and personal protection equipment. Breathlessness is one of the main presenting symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). It can be a very frightening symptom, even in milder cases. Breathlessness is a distressing, multidimensional sensation resulting from complex interactions between physiological, environmental, cultural and social factors, with a considerable emotional component. In COVID-19, when breathlessness becomes severe it can indicate pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which needs urgent investigation and treatment. This should be prioritised as an emergency if indicated. Palliative care can educate, guide, comfort and support in complex medical decision-making prior to disease presentation and during clinical setbacks, as well as at the end of life. This presentation suggests opportunities to accelerate palliative care to ease suffering and provide comfort to patients and families during the COVID-19 epidemic.