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This is what happened to a patient of obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Maria Sophocles, who heads Women’s Healthcare in Princeton, New Jersey.
“I have a 61-year-old woman who noticed spots in March as Covid exploded in New Jersey,” Sophocles said via email. “It was a small amount and it was brownish so she thought it was nothing and forgot about it.”
The spots reappeared in the fall. This time the woman made an appointment and entered the office to be examined. An ultrasound revealed an abnormally thick lining in her uterus, which required a bioposy.
“The tissue came back with endometrial cancer,” Sophocles said. “If she had come in March, we could have diagnosed her 7 months earlier!”
A decrease in patient visits
While the survey showed that telehealth visits increased in some areas over the same period, many physicians found it more difficult to provide< soins de prévention de la reproduction et de gérer les conditions gynécologiques chroniques >> during the Covid-19 pandemic – and were concerned about the impact on their patients’ health.
“At least six in ten OBGYNs said they were very or somewhat worried about delays in contraceptive care, antenatal care, follow-up care for abnormal smears, treatment for STIs, and get an abortion, ”said the survey, which collected responses from early July through September 1 from a nationally representative sample of 855 OB-GYNs in office.
The rise of telehealth in certain areas
By March of this year, 86% of OB-GYNs respondents stated that they did not conduct telehealth visits as part of their practice. In June, the survey found that number had changed completely, with 84% of doctors now making telehealth visits.
But the use of virtual care was not evenly distributed. Age, gender and location appear to play a role in the uptake of telehealth services. Older physicians, OBGYN men, and rural physicians were the least likely to switch to virtual visits compared to their younger, more urban counterparts.
“About 1 in 4 OBGYNs practicing in rural areas, small practices and in states with no Medicaid expansion reported no telehealth use,” the survey found.
The adoption of telehealth has also not been easy and without complaints among those who have gone virtual, doctors said.
“Almost all reported some kind of challenge in providing care through telehealth, including limitations in performing a physical exam, patients with difficulty using telehealth, and inability to conduct diagnostic tests. », Revealed the investigation.
Sophocles, a specialist in menopause and sexual dysfunction, also sees this in his practice.
“Telemedicine has been a great way to safely and conveniently conduct consultations, but as a gynecologist there are certain conditions that require examination,” she said.
“I can often help with a telemedicine visit, but if there is a breast lump or bleeding after sex or an unusually heavy period or bleeding in a postmenopausal patient or a miscarriage – these issues should be addressed by no one, ”she added.
The survey found that almost all OB-GYNs reported using in-person visits for certain contraceptive services and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
“Half reported prescribing hormonal birth control pills via telehealth, but very few use telehealth for screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or to provide instructions on self-administered contraceptive injections or withdrawal of the intravenous device. uterine (IUD) “, indicates the survey.
What to do
Women can make these appointments, “with appropriate security measures in place at the health unit,” the association says.
Before your appointment, ask the doctor’s staff about the precautions they take, including masks, social distancing or limiting the number of people in the clinic or office.
“It is important to wear a face mask or a sheet mask, to stay at least six feet from other people when possible, and to keep your hands clean. Speak to your gynecologist if you have any questions about how to stay safe, ”the release said. said.
Other precautions include:
- Notice when you touch something – the desk pen, a chair – then wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol before or after touching surfaces in public spaces, such as in the waiting area.
- Pay particular attention to frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, elevator buttons, and touch pads during your visit.
- Keep your hands away from your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Keep your mask on at all times. If you cough or sneeze, do it in the mask.
- Minimize your time in the office – ask if staff can bill you or use contactless mobile payment options.
- Try to get three-month prescription refills to reduce the need to return to the doctor or pharmacy.
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