COVID-19 resources by DOs, for DOs

Osteopathic physicians are on the front lines of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the U.S., and many are diligently producing resources that they’d like to share with the osteopathic medical community.

Below are COVID-19 resources that DOs have created for their patients and for other physicians to use. The DO is processing additional resources at this time and expects to add them to this page soon. If you’d like to share a resource you created, please email rraymond@osteopathic.org. Please note that the information provided in these resources has not been endorsed by the AOA.

Self-manipulation exercises patients can do at home

With social distancing measures in place and the health care system strained, some patients may be unable to safely receive osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The above video, created by members of DMU-COM’s OMM department, demonstrates manipulation exercises patients can do independently at home.

The exercises promote optimal breathing and circulation to support the function of the immune and nervous systems. Drew Lewis, DO, Joe Figueroa, DO, and Ryan McMunn, OMS IV, who created the video, also prepared a handout that has a step-by-step guide to the self-manipulation exercises.

Telehealth or office visit decision tree for reception staff: Michael Brown, DO, created this workflow chart for the reception staff at his Missouri health system, which fully blends live patient visits with telemedicine visits. The chart encourages reception staff making appointments for Medicare and Medicaid patients to set up remote appointments whenever possible.

Telehealth visit workflow chart: Dr. Brown also created this chart to help guide the check-in and followup process for telehealth appointments. Learn more about the recent changes to telemedicine regulations here.

COVID-19 patient recommendation information sheet: Dr. Southwick created this information sheet that physicians can provide to patients who likely have COVID-19. It’s a Word document that physicians can personalize with local information and their clinic’s details.

COVID-19 phone screening tool for acutely ill patients: Dr. Southwick also created a phone screening checklist for physicians conducting interviews with acutely ill patients to determine if they are likely to have COVID-19. Common answers to common questions are ranked concerning, equivocal and less concerning, and physicians can tally all the responses for visual guidance in determining a patient’s likelihood of having COVID-19.

Related reading:

COVID-19 updates: Emergency departments continue to prepare for surge of cases

COVID-19 resources for DOs and students: CARES Act summary, CMS expansion and a telemedicine webinar