At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, was detected in China. Despite international efforts to contain the virus, it has spread across the globe, forcing World Health Organization to declare a pandemic (WHO Director-General’s opening remarks, 2020). The majority of the confirmed cases are now in the United States – by April, 28 this figure has exceeded 1 million with more than 50,000 people dead (The US has now passed 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases, 2020). This almost unprecedented global danger has led to the introduction of unprecedented measures.
Fighting the pandemic requires a contribution from every citizen in every country of the world. For the majority of people, it means complying with the demands of social distancing and taking the necessary precautions and sanitary measures. It is, indeed, a difficult time for everyone – so, supporting the ones around, doing something for those who cannot take care of themselves properly in this time of danger is also essential. During the pandemic, many people face numerous concerns and stress factors every day, for example, worrying about their older family members getting the virus or being infected themselves, about losing their job or searching for a new one.
However, while the whole world is now facing and fighting this crisis, the particular burden lies on the shoulders of health professionals working with COVID-19 patients – doctors, nurses, interns, and even yesterday’s students. They are the ones who are directly exposed to the danger of getting infected on the everyday basis. Moreover, the majority of them cannot see their friends and family members in person. Health professionals working with infected patients experience high levels of stress and are burdened by the sense of responsibility seeing people’s sufferings and concerns.
Yet, even during the time of COVID-19 pandemic, there are other health issues that should be attended to. Some people may need urgent surgical treatment; others are already recovering and require medical surveillance. There are people with injuries and chronic illnesses, as well as people with addictions and life-threatening mental disorders (such as anorexia nervosa or clinical depression). Many of these issues can also be exacerbated by involuntary isolation and high levels of stress. In such a situation, when people can meet with their doctor only under serious circumstances, telehealth services are essential.
Telemedicine involves resorting to electronic equipment for exchanging medical information (Health Resources Services Administration, 2012, as cited in Billings & Halstead, 2015). The practice of home-based monitoring has been increasingly introduced in various health facilities in the US in recent years. Some healthcare systems use telehealth in order to eliminate problems connected to personnel shortages, to provide medical advice after the established clinic hours, and to reduce patients travel burdens (Dorsey & Topol, 2016). The last aspect is particularly acute for people with disabilities and ones living in distant rural areas. On that ground, the need for enhancement of providing telehealth services for treating various medical conditions had been widely suggested even before the pandemic (Dorsey & Topol, 2016). Some studies emphasized that the issue lay not in whether health systems should introduce telemedicine, but more in how they should do it (Olson et al., 2018). Besides, there have been suggestions what telehealth should also be implemented in medical education practices since it allows students to get a clinical experience they cannot gain otherwise (Billings & Halstead, 2015). Thus, introducing elements of telehealth, such as video conferencing, both in clinical practice and in medical education had already been discussed before the pandemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, from an advisable measure promoting telehealth has become a necessity. Surgeries cannot, obviously, be performed without physical contact, but post-operative consultations can. Videocalls, or “a combination of telephone calls and wound images taken by patients” can be sufficient in many cases (Hakim et al., 2020, p. 2). Diagnosing some conditions, creating treatment plans, and sharing updates can be operated via videoconferencing, telephone calls, and by instant messaging. Mental health consultations and even AA meetings can also be performed online. Introducing widely such practices will allow to reduce social contacts, which is vital during this time of crisis. Hakim et al. (2020) suggest that while the pandemic has become a serious challenge for healthcare systems, in general, and telemedicine, in particular, it can help to advance the implementation of new technological tools in clinical practice.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many established routines: government operations, educational services, and work of healthcare systems were particularly affected. Many educational facilities and medical institutions had to accelerate the transition to providing their services through various technological devices. This situation highlights the importance of putting emphasis on the more extensive introduction of technologies in medical education so as to prepare specialists who are ready to provide high-quality healthcare services without face-to-face contact.
With the spread of COVID-19, humanity faces numerous dangers and challenges. Every person should do what is in their power to help to overcome the crisis. However, as people fight the current threat, they can also learn new tools and practices which can both be helpful right now and prove valuable in the future. The world is unlikely to be the same after the pandemic: more companies will consider increasing opportunities for working from home, many educational institutions – for distant learning; healthcare systems are likely to change too. This situation, tough, undoubtfully, dangerous and tragic, can, among other things, allow healthcare systems to facilitate the introduction of telemedicine and, therefore, become more prepared for future emergencies.
References
- Billings, D. M. & Halstead, J. A. (2015). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (5th ed.). Elsevier.
- Dorsey, E. R., & Topol, E. J. (2016). State of telehealth. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(2), 154–161.
- Hakim, A. A., Kellish, A. S., Atabek, U., Spitz, F. R., & Hong, Y. K. (2020). Implications for the use of telehealth in surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Journal of Surgery.
- Olson, C. A., McSwain, S. D., Curfman, A. L., & Chuo, J. (2018). The current pediatric telehealth landscape.Pediatrics, 141(3), e20172334. Web.
- The US has now passed 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases. (2020). Web.
- WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – March 11 2020. (2020). World Health Organization. Web.