If another virus breaks out that makes people so sick that they end up in intensive care, always keep the ICUs open for an unlimited number of visitors. This is the appeal made by researchers from Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
They conducted research into the bereavement process among relatives of people who died in the ICU in the spring of 2020. In the group that was forced to say goodbye to a loved one online, fear, stress and sadness are common, says health psychologist Margo van Mol. RTV Rijnmond† She is connected to the IC of the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
In the spring of 2020, few people were allowed to visit the IC because of the corona measures. “As a result, relatives often had to say goodbye at home. Via Zoom. That goes against human nature. You want to be close to your loved one at such a moment,” says Van Mol.
According to the researcher, there are still snags to the investigation. For example, participants completed a questionnaire eight weeks after the death of a loved one. “That is actually too short to be able to judge whether someone is excessively affected by the consequences of the loss.” A further study may therefore follow, in which the psychological complaints will be reviewed a year after the death of a loved one.
–
