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How to go About Routine Doctor Visits During COVID-19 Pandemic?

    Everyone’s attention is on coronavirus these days, and it is natural for that to happen. Afterall every aspect of our life now has been impacted by the pandemic in one way or the other. What earlier used to be a routine action, is now a vigilant excursion. The news regarding this disease is constantly changing, but one thing is certain, everything has come to a halt.

     

    This is also the time to ask yourself questions regarding the risk to benefit ratio of visiting anyplace. Be it a medical weight loss clinic, the concert tickets you have got since July or even your parents or relatives 

     

    A prevalent question is whether or not one should go ahead with their healthcare appointments.

     

    Let’s clear the smoke and explore whether or not that is a good idea in the current situation. For starters to even get a doctor consultations multiple factors will be taken into account. Healthcare workers are the most vulnerable due to their constant exposure to people. Factors like your age and the reason or the visit will all be taken into account.  

     

     So, let’s take a closer look and evaluate every possibility around routine doctor checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

     

    Should You Keep or Cancel Your Doctor’s Appointment?

    To be honest, it no longer depends on your availability and convenience. Instead, consultations depend on the place where you live and how affected that area is by the COVID-19. If your area has been declared as a hotspot, then you are best served to stay at home. 

     

    Doctors and nurses, at this point, are prioritizing emergency visiting. So, if you have an elective procedure scheduled, you should postpone it indefinitely. Until and unless you really need to, stay out of hospitals and other public areas. 

     

    What you are hoping to do is flatten the curve. By keeping all non-emergent cases out of the hospital and taking necessary precautions you are aiding the hospitals in ensuring that when required, resources will be available for the sick. This way, rather than a sudden climb in cases you will see a gradual increase that the medical community will be able to handle better,

     

     

    That takes me to another question. And that is “how to ask a doctor when everyone is asking you to avoid doctor visits. Keep reading, and you will know.

     

    Consider Telehealth or Telemedicine Services

    The concept of telemedicine is pretty simple. ,  You get a consultation over a call with a qualified doctor who helps you out with your condition. If at any point you feel that a phone call is not enough to get the work done, you can always use a telemedicine platform that offers video calls as a form of communication.

     

     

    But, how will all this help?

     

    Well, this practice serves two purposes. One is establishing social distancing, especially for individuals who are at higher risk of contracting the virus. And the other is to isolate the ones carrying the virus without risking others. Hence, it allows both doctors and patients to feel safe and secure. Don’t forget, no one is immune to this infection, and that includes doctors and healthcare providers too. 

     

    So, here are some of the choices that you can make regarding your doctor consultations. 

     

    • Request for prescription refills over the phone and confirm if the doctor can electronically forward that to your pharmacy.
    • Reschedule your consultations if they are not urgent.
    • Inquire if the doctor can handle your consultations via video conferencing. 

     

    Again, let me be honest here. The choice you make must weigh all the risks. It won’t be wise to put yourself in danger when you can easily avoid it. However, if you are sick or injured, or have a condition that needs you to see a doctor, you must not stop too. 

     

    Follow These Tips to Narrow The Risk of Infection

     

    • Ensure that you are keeping a distance of at least six feet from others. 
    • Wash your hands at regular intervals with soap and water.
    • If you are not in a position for handwashing, use a hand sanitizer with approximately 60 percent alcohol.
    • Avoid touching your face and shared surfaces.
    • If possible, use disinfectant wipes to clean the surfaces near your area to avoid any transmission. 

     

     

    To Sum It Up

    The global pandemic is ongoing and is supposed to stay for quite some time. So, you must understand every action you take now will have repercussions. Not only for you but for the people around you as well. So, to ensure that everyone in need has access to healthcare services, the White House Coronavirus Task Force announced that all elective or nonessential procedures must be delayed. 

     

    Such recommendations will ensure that:

     

    • Everyone can access patient-care services without breaking social distancing protocols.
    • The hospitals have beds available for high-risk patients.
    • The staff is available for urgent procedures. 

     

    So, if you are over the age of 60 or have complaints concerning cold or flu symptoms, go for an online doctor consultation rather than relying on routine clinic visits. However, if you are experiencing any new symptoms or are living with a debilitating condition, talk to your doctor, and seek advice if it’s worth the risk to visit them now. 

     

    And if you are worried that you might be carrying the virus, don’t panic. A simple consultation over a call will help you out. For others, the rule is simple. Practice social distancing and maintain general hygiene practices without fail and you will be able to make it through.

     

    Author Bio- 

    Stanley Mishkin is working with Steady Care Medical, one of the leading healthcare clinics in Santa Ana. A seasoned healthcare writer whose most of the time, goes into learning new healthcare strategies to put forth his ideas consistently in the form of articles and newsletters.