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At the Hospitals
Doctor Visits Are Going to Be
a Little Different From Now On
By Genevieve Brauning, MD compared to our office of the past. This is one of the sacrifices we are
making for our mutual safety.
Dr. Genevieve Brauning is lead family medicine physician at Novant
When an assistant brings you back from the waiting room for your visit,
IHealth SouthPark Family Physicians. your time in hallways and common areas will be minimized. Meanwhile,
t’s time to think through the doctor’s office of the near the space between patient and assistant in the exam room will be
future. The reality is, our bustling office of the past will not be maximized. Our ability to reduce close contact between assistants and
the right fit in coming months.
We need to provide patients with a visit that patients reduces our need to constantly replace precious
protects them against coronavirus spread and personal protective equipment.
assures them it is safe to return to in-office Just like everyone you have met in the office
care. When restrictions on non-urgent so far, I too, as a doctor, will be in a mask and
care went into place, the vast majority of gloves when I enter the room. These less-than-
Novant Health office visits transitioned to 1-millimeter-thick barriers over my face
video encounters. In fact, we did more and hands feel burdensome. In the past, I
than 70,000 visits in just weeks. This relied on facial expression, skin color and
technology was what we needed for body temperature to formulate a thorough
the moment. But video visits cannot assessment of my patients. Now, my
meet everyone’s needs long-term. In senses are dulled. After years of working
May, we invited our patients back into with patients in a certain way, doctors are
our office spaces. making a fundamental change in their
approach. We know this will be difficult for
You may be wondering, “Is this really many of our patients, too. We have to make
a safe plan?” I get it. For more than a do as best we can, together.
month, we have encouraged patients to The upside: Unlike a video visit, here in the
stay home and use video technology, and office, I can finally hear your heart, press on your
now we have opened our doors. Rest assured, belly and check your pulse. I am able to look you in
we planned carefully and thoughtfully. The safety
of our co-workers and patients is absolutely critical, and the eye in a way that a video visit can’t quite accomplish. It
continuing to delay office care could have been risky to patients’ long- may be the first time in months someone who did not live in your home
term health. We are ready … but things look and feel a bit different came within six feet of you. It may feel strange, or uncomfortable, or
when you arrive. Let’s take a tour. quite a relief … for both of us. After the physical exam, I will return to a
distanced spot in the room to discuss our plan and get you on your way.
Our waiting room is a minimalist version of its former self. Gone are
the plentiful magazines, re-usable clipboards and cups full of pens for To wrap up your visit, we are leaning on technology. Coronavirus
public use. Gone too are most of the chairs — the ones remaining are can survive 24-48 hours on paper, so printed check-out summaries and
spaced six feet apart. Just like you see at the grocery store, there are taped appointment reminders will be provided only when necessary. We will
marks on the hardwood floors leading to our check-in staff, asking that send as much as possible electronically.
you allow appropriate distance if approaching the counter. There is a
faint smell of bleach — sterile — yet reassuring. This new normal is going to take some getting used to on all
sides as we ease back into office visits. Learning new ways can be
In our new office, we have electronic check-in that allows you to exhausting, frustrating and painfully slow. Starting now, physicians
verify your insurance, update your personal information and complete must practice patience with our patients, and each other, as we adapt
your co-pay from the safety and comfort of your own phone. To reduce and adjust. I’m guessing more changes lie ahead in our “doctor’s
asymptomatic spread of coronavirus, we ask that all patients wear office of the near future,” and further challenges await. Please
a mask in our new waiting room; our staff is wearing masks, as well. know, we are prepared to keep you safe in our space, and we will be
The combination of masks, distance and bleach may feel impersonal delighted to see you when you arrive.
Mecklenburg Medicine • June 2020 | 7
