How Medical Consultations Should Be in the Post-COVID-19 World
As you can see, future consultations will require stricter hygiene and cleaning measures. The main objective is to guarantee the safety of both the patient and the doctors themselves. Properly following the directions is the key to avoiding complications and inconveniences.
Material directed only to health professionals. Information made for health professionals in most states of the U.S. Everything published on the platform is a recommendation, but not a prescription or medical indication.
To date, there is no topic that is more commented than the Covid-19 pandemic. It is reasonable for the impact and repercussions it has had on the world. Right now one of humanity’s biggest goals is to get the first effective vaccine. The downside is that a project of this magnitude can take even years. Meanwhile, the risk will remain present among the planet’s population.
On the other hand, there are activities that cannot be stopped or delayed and one of them is medical care. Any day and at all times there is a risk of presenting discomfort or illness, which requires consulting a doctor.
Never trust Dr. Google
In this sense, the internet has become an effective tool to contact health professionals but never to replace them. Some studies have indicated that Dr. Google is wrong in 2 out of 3 diagnoses. Furthermore, the most dangerous thing is that self-medication is promoted, which is counterproductive for patients and increases drug resistance.
So an interesting question worth asking is what medical consultations should look like in the future. It is clear that there must be changes from the current drawbacks and that implies both the cooperation of the doctors and the patients themselves.
Online medical consultations
In the first instance, over the last few months, there has been an increase in the number of medical consultations carried all around the world by online doctors. It stands to reason that if people are confined to their homes, they prefer remote care if they show signs of illness. The benefits are many because transfers are avoided, which implies a direct service. Furthermore, there is also no risk of infection for either party.
Therefore, a promising future for medical video consultations is insight. In the post-COVID-19 world it will be one of the most used alternatives by patients when they require the services of a health professional.
On the other hand, you should be aware that not all people can access this digital service, especially in countries where around 20 percent of the population lacks an internet connection at home. Therefore, conventional consultations will continue, although now with stricter hygiene and surveillance measures.
Stricter measures in hospitals
One aspect that has been handled and could now be implemented is to prohibit the accompaniment of patients within hospitals. The fact that healthy people remain in the waiting room exposes them and also causes them to occupy seats unnecessarily. Except in the case of children and older adults, the ideal is for the patient to go only to the consultation.
Similarly, there must be greater control to prevent crowds within medical units. In the case of public health, it is one of the biggest challenges to overcome. The alternative of setting aside inquiries by phone or mobile applications to stay as short as possible in waiting rooms seems like the ideal option.
Hygiene and cleanliness within hospitals
In turn, within the office, there must be stricter hygiene and precautionary measures on the part of medical personnel. The first thing to consider is the disappearance of the handshake and now everything should be in a few words of welcome. There is also a need for constant disinfection of the desk and all surfaces within the office. This keeps patients protected but also doctors.
Another aspect to consider is the use of mask covers indefinitely. No matter what happens to the Covid-19, mouth, and nose protection is essential for all medical personnel. Therefore, it is anticipated that it will become an ally of health workers for life.
At the same time, constant handwashing within the medical office has been promoted from now on. It is a practice that should continue and ideally, it should be done after caring for each patient.
As you can see, future consultations will require stricter hygiene and cleaning measures. The main objective is to guarantee the safety of both the patient and the doctors themselves. Properly following the directions is the key to avoiding complications and inconveniences.
