Health Kit: See Your Doctor

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HEALTH KIT

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW NO ONE KNOWS HOW, OR WHEN, THE PANDEMIC WILL END. BUT DON’T AVOID YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BECAUSE OF IT.

By Dawn Olsen

“But then COVID-19 happened.” It’s a relatively new phrase, one that often follows “We were going to go on vacation,” “We had a party planned,” or “We were supposed to get married.” We use it to describe our canceled plans, our postponed events and our delayed haircuts. And while it’s okay to wait for a trim, there’s one thing we can’t put off: doctor’s visits.

TOO LATE TO WAIT Since March, the number of people who have visited hospitals and doctors’ offices has significantly decreased. Social distancing measures have contributed to the decline in visits. So have, unsurprisingly, patient concerns about transmitting coronavirus to health care workers and vice versa. However, annual exams, check-ups and screenings promote continued health — pandemic or not.

“Waiting until there’s a problem is not ideal,” said Dr. Amanda Furr, Physician Executive for Primary Care at Community Health Network. “We encourage people to come in for preventative visits and routine screenings. Things like colonoscopies and mammograms are so very important. We can detect early signs of illness, possibly before the patient has symptoms.” In other words, don’t wait until things calm down or return to “normal.” It could be detrimental to your health. Significantly detrimental.

DANGEROUS DELAYS In July, JAMA, an international, peer-reviewed medical journal, released a study that estimated excess deaths in the early weeks of the pandemic. According to the study, the five U.S. states with the most deaths due to COVID-19 also experienced a large increase in deaths due to heart disease and diabetes. It’s a devastating trend Dr. Aaron Shoemaker, Chief Medical Officer for Ascension Medical Group Indiana, has seen at Ascension - Fishers Family Medicine North. “There’s an increase in deaths because significant care has been delayed,” said Shoemaker, who specializes in pediatrics and internal medicine. “We have people coming in with metastatic cancers.” He emphasized the importance of preventative care and how a lack of it can cause not-so-good outcomes in the long-term. “Work with your doctor to make sure you’re not limiting your care,” he said. “Reach out to us. Communicate with us.”

VIRTUAL VICTORIES Thankfully, tools such as Ascension’s Patient Portal and Online Care system are available 24/7 and can be used on patients’ device of choice. So wherever patients are and whenever they need care, they can talk to their doctor, pay bills, view records and schedule appointments. MyChart, the patient portal for Community Health Network, also offers 24/7 virtual visits. “For the most part, illnesses and the management of chronic conditions can be handled through virtual visits,” Furr said. “Virtual care also reduces foot traffic in the office. So while we may have slightly decreased in-person appointment times, we’ve dramatically increased other options.” Furr estimates that doctors at Community see just as many patients as they did before COVID-19, if not more. The good news? Insurance should cover virtual visits, as the pandemic has forced insurance companies to be more flexible. RISK-WORTHY VISITS Not everything can be done over a screen, however. Doctors Furr and Shoemaker agree that some things warrant in-person visits — physical injuries, X-rays and preventative care for children. Before you go to a doctor’s office, though, double-check its requirements. Ascension currently screens everyone at the door for respiratory issues and above-average temperatures. Once inside, patients must wear masks and practice social distancing. Community Health has similar guidelines for in-person visits and asks that patients avoid close contact in the waiting room, understand and respect health and safety protocols and be honest about any and all symptoms they may have. If you’re unsure about the atmosphere at your doctor’s office, call ahead. “Everyone’s experience will be slightly different, but we’re working hard to optimize time for patients,” said Shoemaker.

THE REWARDS OF PATIENCE When asked how patients can make the process easier, both physicians cited the importance of simple things: mask-wearing, handwashing, social distancing and routine cleaning of surfaces. And since every facility is unique and every patient has different needs, both Furr and Shoemaker also ask for patience. “It’s been a long journey so far, and we know we still have more ahead of us,” said Furr. “But we’re trained to take care of sick people. I don’t want anybody to have a negative outcome because they were avoiding the health care system.”

DR. AMANDA FURR, PHYSICIAN EXECUTIVE FOR PRIMARY CARE AT COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

DR. AARON SHOEMAKER, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR ASCENSION MEDICAL GROUP INDIANA

RAISING THE BAR FOR BREAST HEALTH

If you have 20 minutes, you have time to take the best step for your health! At Community Health Network, we stand by every woman across Central Indiana with access to better breast health.

EARLY DETECTION — YOUR SINGLE BEST DEFENSE The best defense against breast cancer is proactive, preventive health, and mammograms are the best way to get a clear picture of your health. Early detection gives you and your care team the time to face breast cancer head-on, even before symptoms are noticeable. Coupled with monthly self-exams, getting screened on your doctor’s recommended schedule is the single best way to protect yourself from breast cancer. That’s why Community uses the best technology possible for early and reliable detection. 3D MAMMOGRAMS — THE STANDARD OF CARE 3D mammograms are a huge breakthrough for your breast health. Instead of taking a single image of your breast, these screenings capture a detailed 3D model. That lets your doctor get a thorough look at your breast tissue and catch any abnormalities early. The result? 40% fewer false alarms, for one. 3D models are much more accurate, and let your doctor feel more confident in their assessment. And as an added bonus, you’re a lot less likely to get called back for a second look! At Community, 3D mammography is our standard of care. No matter where you get your mammogram within our network, you’ll get all the benefits of 3D technology. YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY COME FIRST We’ve made changes at each of our locations to keep our patients and staff safe and sound. Some of the measures we’re taking are enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, social distancing and infection protocols that align with CDC recommendations. Patients will be required to pass our COVID-19 screening questions at the time of scheduling an appointment and again when they enter the building for the appointment. Patients experiencing symptoms will be asked to schedule their mammogram once they are healthy. While we’re not taking walk-ins, you can easily schedule your appointment online at eCommunity.com/mammogram, or through your MyChart account. It’s easy to find a time that works for you right from your device. Schedule your mammogram with Community for exceptional care, simply delivered.