Uncertainty : Physicians around the world turned to each other on how to best manage a novel virus.Time for science and self: The down time has allowed physicians more time for writing, publishing, reading scientific and nonmedical books, as well as pursue hobbies including yoga, exercise, art and music.health care system with "need driven care," instead of "revenue driven care." I hope, even after the pandemic, we continue to approach the U.S. We have taken a step back, to question if the procedure or test is really necessary or not. Triaging: With limited resources and PPE, we have become experts at reallocation of resources and patient triaging by categorizing procedures as elective, urgent and emergent.Relaxation of government regulations for billing have helped to ensure patient care while keeping practices afloat. The forgotten art of taking a detailed health history, to form a diagnosis, has been refreshed. Increased efficiency, convenience and minimizing exposure to COVID-19 have been the highlights of telemedicine. This opened new avenues for us to continue to provide care for our patients through virtual medicine. Telemedicine: Covid-19 gave us no choice but to enforce social distancing.Everyone joined hands, with one goal, to alleviate suffering by empowering each other intellectually while fulfilling our duties with empathy. Interface: Never in medicine have we seen such an extensive exchange of scientific dialogue across fields.We also adapted quickly to fluid policies and schedules as they evolved. I am proud to see that we have stepped out of our comfort zones to manage ventilators, volunteer in emergency departments and ICUs. Adaptability: We, as physicians, have shown the world that we are malleable and adaptable.I began wearing scrubs and started the new ritual of removing clothes in the laundry room, followed by heading straight to the shower for a thorough "decontamination." Worried children have been continually reassured that we take precautions so we do not get infected or expose our family. Fear and Worry: Most health care workers' biggest fear: bringing coronavirus home.Most were then left with the stress of straddling between clinical schedules and childcare/homeschooling. Babysitters were reluctant to come due to the same fear of exposure. Grandparents who helped with childcare were suddenly out of the equation as we try to limit their exposure. Lack of support: As schools and daycares closed, most health care workers were still expected to report to work.Even in most dual-physician households, women carry the brunt of the household work and the logistics of everyday homeschooling, grocery shopping, etc. Never has it been more magnified than during this pandemic. Double-double: In most households, women bear most of the responsibility of keeping the house in order.There has been a steep learning curve for the students, teachers and parents on how to navigate the new world of "virtual learning." Confusion: With the sudden closure of schools, most parents were at a loss and ill-prepared, now forced to homeschool our children.Family time and responsibility: Flexibility has allowed time for family movies, board games, help with chores and taking on responsibility in our dual-physician household (helping elderly grandparents or younger siblings).It has been uplifting to see this early maturity! Self-discipline: My children have taken structure into their own hands by self-made daily calendars with study, exercise and game times.Kids are relishing non-curriculum books without the pressure of time. Lack of regimented routine has left room for expressiveness and ingenuity music production, creating art and exploring online coding. Creativity: With schools closed, the clock is not running my children's lives anymore. Here are my thoughts on "Cons of the COVID-19 story." my optimism slowly began to fade away as it became harder to stay positive. One week passed, then two, three, then eight. Having endured a massive earthquake, volcano eruption, typhoons and hurricanes, I thought this will not be as bad. I thought I was resilient: my family is good, sheltered at home and healthy. "Rain falling slow, down the roofs of uncertainty."ĬOVID-19 has put millions on the edge, and everyone was suddenly placed in a state of emergency. I use these terms loosely as I pen my thoughts on "Pros of the Covid-19 story" for the ACC WIC Section. Despite this, I continue to tread on the path of realistic optimism and positive resilience. His lonely passing without final goodbyes was tough to endure. On a personal level, our family lost someone we loved dearly. It has left a trail of tears and uncertainty. Covid-19 has brought the world to a grinding halt.
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