For people working in healthcare: Module 1: For people working in healthcare: Module 1

For people working in healthcare: Module 1 - COVID-19 and grief

Module introduction

What the palliative care expert says

Dr. Amit Arya, reflects on working in the front lines of COVID-19 in nursing homes. (3:22)Video transcript

“This is hitting us and we’re grieving. Collectively. We are not used to this kind of collective grief in the air.” – David Kessler, author of "Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief"

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all grappling with ongoing change, feeling uncertain about our safety, and anxious about our future and the well-being of those we love. Many working in healthcare are experiencing emotions similar to those associated with grief.

Click on the arrows below to reveal concerns people working in healthcare have shared with us.

Uncertainty and fear of being infected or infecting others including families and co-workers

Needing to develop creative ways of supporting our patients and families who are grieving in isolation

Death of residents, patients, and colleagues as a result of COVID-19

Insufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical equipment, or fear our institutions will run out of PPE

Caring for patients in both usual and extraordinarily difficult situations

COVID-19 information 'overload' and the need to stay up to date with the changing nature of practice and public health guidelines

In addition to this we are needing to find:

Strategies to cope with our own fear and anxiety, and that of our patients and their families

Ways to remain well and feel connected with others.

This module will help answer questions about how the COVID-19 global pandemic may be impacting our thoughts, feelings, and reactions, as well as our work within the healthcare system. Some of these questions include:

What are the similarities and differences between stress and grief? How are they linked to working in healthcare during COVID-19?

What are some strategies to help us respond to our grief?

How can we regain and maintain a sense of control and well-being?