MSDC, Health Groups Publish Return to Health Visits Guide July 20, 2020
Written by MSDC Staff
The Medical Society of DC contributed to a collaborative document - released today - that encourages residents of the District to visit their doctors and health care providers.
The guidance, seen here, was created by the Black Coalition Against COVID. In addition to MSDC, MedChi DC, the DC Dental Society, and The Robert T. Freeman Dental Society contributed feedback and perspective on the document. Its aim is to show residents why it is safe to visit health care facilities despite the ongoing pandemic.
The document states that underlying health conditions have likely worsened during social quarantine, and that government guidance permits visits to medical facilities. In addition, important regular care such as vaccines, new injuries, and therapeutic treatments should be addressed by health professionals.
Among the reasons listed that visits to physicians, dentists, and hospitals are safe are:
- Telemedicine is a widely available tool to screen for routine care that can be done remotely
- Offices pre-screen patients for symptoms of COVID-19 to prevent the spread of infection
- Masks and temperature checks are mandatory in the offices
- Waiting spaces are either outside the office or in a space sanitized and spaced appropriately
- Prescriptions could be extended to prevent unnecessary follow-up visits
- Professionals, especially dentists, wear appropriate protection to prevent being infected by patients or spreading disease