The needs of patients and their families under inpatient hospice care at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic – similarities and differences. Qualitative research

Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a great threat to facilities providing inpatient care to chronically/terminally ill patients or elderly people. This unprecedented situation has called for radical and previously untried solutions including restrictions or a complete ban on visiting inpatients, reductions in the number of staff, and measures to improve the sanitary regime. These far-reaching actions have had a direct impact on all actors involved in the system of social welfare facilities: employees, patients, and their families.

Aim
The analysis of the key needs of patients and their families and the potential differences in their hierarchy in the new situation.

Material and methods
A qualitative pilot study was conducted in a Polish inpatient hospice to identify the consequences of the changes outlined above and to help with the development of solutions adjusted to the current situation. The study, based on questionnaires containing open-ended questions, was conducted among patients and their families. The questionnaires were analysed using a medical-anthropological approach.

Results
The analysis provides a basis for identifying the key needs of both groups under study and highlighting the differences between them. The basic need of the patients were shown to be physical closeness. For families, it was a need to care for their relatives.

Conclusions
The differences in needs influenced the preferred forms of communication. Based on the results of the questionnaires, COVID-19 was also observed to play different roles and vary in importance among patients and their families. The findings of the pilot study are not exhaustive, and further in-depth research is required to explore this area of interest.