DONAS-BOTO, Inês et al. Isolated, but not alone: implementation of video communication in COVID-19 units. []. , 22, 2, pp.350-358.   31--2021. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/21psd220203.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses multiple challenges regarding healthcare across Europe and the world, namely separation and isolation of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from their families. The present report aims at describing the different practices in using video calls to allow communication between COVID-19 inpatients and their loved ones. The authors conducted a qualitative study based on a semi-structured interview, applied to the four health care workers (HCW) responsible for managing the use of the videophones and tablets in the COVID-19 wards of our hospital. The collected data consisted of: (1) description of each unit; (2) generic patient data; (3) description of video call communications; and (4) perceptions towards video call communication use. The interviewed HCW acknowledged the importance of video calls in the COVID-19 units and its positive emotional impact on patients, family members, and HCW involved. Differences among video calls usage in each ward dwell mainly on the existence of a communication protocol and on staff’s awareness and engagement with the initiative. The authors reflect on the benefits and pitfalls of this new communication method for hospitalized patients and their families.

: COVID-19; intensive care; video calls; isolation; communication.

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