Member Spotlight Doctors, nurses, and other frontline health care workers are deservedly hailed as heroes for their dedication and courage in treating patients with COVID-19. But behind the scenes, another set of professionals is addressing the toll of the pandemic in an equally important but dignity. A new collaborative project led by the Prevention Research Center (PRC) based in the University of Iowa College of Public Health aims to shine a light on the important contributions and extraordinary challenges of these professionals. “Fatalities management workers— funeral home practitioners, medical examiners, pathologists, crematory operators, morgue attendants, autopsy assistants, and others in these fields— have really become the invisible face of COVID-19. Their stories, struggles, dedication, work, and care have largely been ignored,” explains Rima Afifi, director of the PRC and professor of community and behavioral health. “We’re partnering 8 www.ogr.org | Spring 2021 unacknowledged way. These “last responders” are the workers who ensure that people who die from the novel coronavirus are laid to rest with with fatalities management workers to understand their stressors, coping mechanisms, and their well-being in relation to COVID-19.” The PRC is working with professional organizations and associations to conduct a national survey of last responders to better understand the consequences of the pandemic on their mental and physical health. “To our knowledge, this is the first national survey of its kind,” Afifi says. “We think it’s critically important to be able to develop effective responses that support them in their amazing work.” The research team is planning to follow up the survey with in-depth interviews. “This will enable us to truly understand the lived experiences of fatalities OGR members participated in the research this article is based on, and Member Resources Director Nancy Weil serves on their advisory board. Follow their latest findings on our blog at OGR.org.
9 Publizr Home