Primary care is safe and essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, DOs attest

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients have been reluctant to seek health care due to worries about contracting the virus. But delaying necessary care raises significant concerns about patient health, especially for patients with chronic health conditions such as diabetes.

In a recent article for patients on Doctors That DO, AOA President Ronald Burns, DO, an osteopathic family medicine physician in Orlando, Florida, and Robert Greer IV, DO, an osteopathic family medicine physician in Lake Park, Florida, share what patients should know about primary care during COVID-19—and the reasons delaying care can be risky.

DOs are welcome to share the article with their patient networks to help educate patients about the importance of primary care and the safety precautions practices are taking.

Physician practices and hospitals have been quick to adopt the CDC’s guidance for health care facilities in the COVID-19 era, the article notes.

“In my office, we’ve rearranged our reception area so the patients are spaced six feet apart, and all surfaces that are touched frequently are sanitized between every appointment,” explains Dr. Burns. “If the patient wants to, they are also welcome to wait in their car and we’ll call them when it’s time to come in for their appointment.”

Find the full article here.