PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the American health care system. Doctors in the United States have learned many lessons in the last two and a half years, but one lesson was quite surprising.
During the peak months, when so many people were dying that makeshift morgues were set up to take care of the dead, patients and their families were left trying to make sense of the tragedy.
According to a new report, nearly seven out of 10 U.S. adults who saw a family member die from COVID-19 say either they or their deceased loved ones with more attention had been paid to questions of spirituality. The finding is not about religion — but, rather, a broader discussion and understanding of the meaning of life in times of stress.
The spiritual anguish many people felt, and continue to feel should not be underestimated.
At the time, most did the best they could to provide support. However, as a result of the experience, there is a growing movement to improve the systems in place to provide spiritual support for sick people and their loved ones.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.