Jun 11, 2021
This episode features Dr Lucy Selman (Palliative
and End of Life Care Research Group, Population Health Sciences,
Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol,
UK).
During COVID-19, infection control measures have prevented many
family members from being with seriously ill or dying loved ones,
and impacted on after-death mourning practices
and bereavement. Clinicians and funeral officiants have tried
to mitigate the impact of infection control measures, for example,
using video-technology; however, this has not been done
consistently and its acceptability is unknown. The news media
play an important role in creating a sense-making narrative,
reflecting and enforcing cultural ideas and shaping experiences of
illness and bereavement.
Online UK newspapers focused on how COVID-19 disrupted ‘saying
goodbye’ (prior to death, at the moment of death and after death)
and conflicted with cultural understandings of a ‘good death’
and ‘good grief’, despite efforts undertaken to mitigate the
effects of restrictions. Findings demonstrate a prevailing
uncertainty, fear and anxiety regarding: changes to practice;
control over access to people who have been hospitalised; the
possibility of dying alone or having loved ones die alone; and
being unable to properly commemorate a death. Articles focused on
what was forbidden rather than permitted and offered little
practical guidance for the public.
Understanding the media representations and cultural narratives
around a ‘good death’ and ‘good grief’ that influence patients’ and
families’ fears and anxieties can help inform person-centred care
and bereavement support. Clinicians should explore with families
ways of finding meaningful connection and of saying goodbye despite
restrictions, and, alongside other bereavement support providers
and hospital press officers, should offer alternatives to
exaggerated or inaccurate media narratives. More could be done in
media reporting to portray diverse experiences and offer practical
advice to members of the public dealing with serious illness and
bereavement during the pandemic.