THE DEVELOPMENT OF PALLIATIVE CARE INDICATORS FOR PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 IN THAILAND UTILIZING DELPHI TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is marked by rapid disease progression and presents signs and symptoms when severe progression occurs. Frailty and the risk of dependence and death require palliative care. Thus, this study aimed to identify the palliative care indicators for patients with COVID-19 in Thailand. The Delphi technique served as the methodology for this descriptive study, with 19 experts enlisted to participate. Throughout the study, three rounds of the Delphi method were conducted to gather expert input and refine the identified indicators. Data analysis and development of a questionnaire for palliative care indicators for patients with COVID-19 and the final medians and interquartile ranges were calculated. The study involved predominantly female participants (78.95%) with a mean age of 46.65 years (SD = 6.54) and a mean work experience of 17.85 years (SD = 7.73). All 19 subject matter experts responded to the final questionnaire. Nine palliative care components with 71 indicators for patients with COVID-19 were identified: advance care planning, physical health care, psychological and mental care, spiritual care, effective communication with the patients and their families, caring for the patients after their treatment and for their families after the patient's death, controlling and preventing the spread of infection, professional healthcare teams, and system of care. The results of this study, which were drawn from appropriate sources, can be used by health facilities as preliminary data for developing a care assessment questionnaire and a guideline for healthcare professionals’ provision of effective and comprehensive palliative care for COVID-19 patients.