ABSTRACT

This article reflects the experiences of a Family–Patient Liaison (FPL) team affiliated with a Field Hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 in South Africa. The reflection draws on our first 6-week experience providing telephonic support to low-income families resident in Gauteng. As FPLs, we formed part of an integrated healthcare programme and complimented the clinical treatment by providing ongoing support and advice to patients’ families, in their language of choice. We use retrospective autoethnography to share our cumulative experience, lessons learnt and skills gained while immersed in this programme. We reflect on the social environment, internal family dynamics, and the healthcare context as sources of patient vulnerability and emphasise the importance of communication-centred healthcare. Lastly, we suggest FPL provides unique benefits to the COVID-19 response and public healthcare

摘要

本文反映了南非第一波 COVID-19 期间隶属于野战医院的家庭-患者联络 (FPL) 团队的经验。反思借鉴了我们为居住在豪登省的低收入家庭提供电话支持的第一个 6 周经验。作为 FPL，我们组成了综合医疗保健计划的一部分，并通过以患者家人选择的语言为他们提供持续的支持和建议来补充临床治疗。我们使用回顾性的自我民族志来分享我们在沉浸在这个项目中时积累的经验、教训和获得的技能。我们将社会环境、内部家庭动态和医疗保健环境作为患者脆弱性的来源进行反思，并强调以沟通为中心的医疗保健的重要性。最后，