Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care

Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (한국호스피스완화의료학회)
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Inpatient Hospice Care in Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Study

  • Youn Seon Choi (Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital) ;
  • Sun Wook Hwang (Department of Family Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital) ;
  • In Cheol Hwang (Department of Family Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2024.05.10
  • Accepted : 2024.05.17
  • Published : 2024.06.01
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Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the quality of life (QoL) and quality of care (QoC) in inpatient hospice settings in Korea before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from three institutions that participated in two prospective cohort studies. The primary outcomes measured were the QoL of patients with terminal cancer and their family caregivers (FCs), as well as the QoC as perceived by the FCs. Results: Multivariable regression analysis revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, both patients and FCs experienced better QoL than before the pandemic, and FCs reported a higher QoC. Conclusion: Health policymakers should consider our findings when planning for future pandemics.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Gachon University Gil Medical Center (No. FRD2021-14). Professors Youn Seon Choi and Sun Wook Hwang contributed equally to this work as first authors.

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