[Italy] End-of-life cancer patients’ dignity perception before and during COVID-19 pandemic

[Italy] End-of-life cancer patients’ dignity perception before and during COVID-19 pandemic
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Andrea Bovero, Francesca Cotardo, Erika Tuberosa, Sara Carletto, Francesco Oliva; 8/25
The safety and restriction regulations implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted people’s quality of life compromising the perception of dignity. Preserving dignity for end-of-life patients remains a paramount objective in palliative care. This study aimed to compare dignity levels in terminal cancer patients between pre- and during-pandemic periods... Existential Distress, Loss of Purpose and Meaning, Physical Symptoms and Dependency, Social Support PDI subscales and PDI Total score were higher in the during-pandemic group... Social isolation and other restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a negative impact on the perception of dignity in cancer patients at the end of life.