Takeaway
Whether seeing patients in-person or virtually, one of the most important aspects of care is the human connection.
Connecting with Patients | July 7, 2020 | 1 min read
By Marianne Fingerhood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine
The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the way we care for our patients, with telemedicine now the primary way we connect. For some patients, the sound of our voice is enough on a telephone call. Video visits can give even more reassurance, since they can both hear and see us. The missing piece is the ability to touch and give the comfort that words cannot always express.
A long-time patient of mine with multiple comorbidities was scheduled for an emergent surgery related to a cancer diagnosis. An urgent call came from the surgeon’s office requesting medical clearance for his procedure the next day. Due to a pandemic related policy, my patient wasn’t allowed to come into my clinic. I needed to examine him to feel comfortable clearing him for surgery, but more importantly, he wanted to see me in person.
Dressed in appropriate PPE, I met my patient and his wife at the curb outside the front door of the office. A quick physical exam assured me that I could provide the surgeon and anesthesiologist the clearance needed to proceed. I listened closely to the couple’s feelings concerning the life-altering surgery. A few tears later, I headed back inside to start my next video visit.
Whether seeing patients in-person or virtually, one of the most important aspects of care is the human connection.