Before COVID-19 arrived in our lives, chronic illness was considered the next worldwide pandemic. But COVID-19 did arrive and life as we knew it has radically changed. Healthcare workers, particularly nurses and physicians, are now having frequent palliative care (the area of end-of-life care that focuses on patient comfort) conversations although most are not trained as palliative care specialists.
The prolific use of telehealth has also placed a demand on all healthcare providers to rely on communication exchanges which can be facilitated with tools and resources from the COMFORT model.
Here are selected highlights from the COMFORT model that supports palliative care communication for nurses and for all providers that are navigating acute and terminal care with patients, families, and team members during this challenging pandemic.