Seeking Health Care During COVID-19

Hospitals and health care providers have been reopening all health care services.

But, how do you know which medical needs you can talk about during a telemedicine visit or when to see a health care provider in their office? As a patient, how do you know when it is safe to return to health care offices, and what should you expect when you do?

Here are some recommendations to help guide you as you seek treatment for your digestive condition.

• •Reach out to your health care provider if you have any questions about when to seek treatment.
• •Do not put off needed care. Some patients have been not been seeking care for emergency and nonemergency symptoms and conditions. Do not wait to get the care that is needed to help you feel better.
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  Your health care provider might want to have a “telehealth” visit to start. The following tips can help you have a successful visit:

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    Find out if your telehealth visit will be audio only (telephone) or audio/visual and if you need to use a computer or smart phone.
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    If using video, make sure that your camera, speakers, and microphone work; that your health care provider can see you; and your Internet connection is strong before the time of your appointment.
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    Make sure that you are in a private location where others cannot hear you and you can remove your clothes for any visual examinations.
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    Fill out your paperwork, have your medical history ready, and write out your questions before your appointment.
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    Be as open and honest with your health care provider about your symptoms, concerns, and problems as you would in their office.

Visiting Your Health Care Provider's Office

Talk with your health care provider about your provider’s facilities and the precautions they are putting in place to keep patients safe. Health care providers are preparing to care for you safely.

You may be asked to do the following by your provider:

• •Wear a face cover. A face mask helps limit your risk of getting or spreading disease.
• •Avoid crowded waiting areas. Sometimes you will be asked to wait in your car until your visit. Waiting rooms should have chairs spaced far apart to keep you and others safe.
• •Limit people who go to your appointment with you to one person. Visitors should also wear a face cover (face mask).
• •Screening before entering a facility. You, and your visitor, may have your temperature taken, or be asked questions about your health status, before entering a health care office.
• •Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands.

Precautions are being taken to make sure your care is safe and that you are protected. Patients should have trust in seeking care. Your health care providers are doing their best to keep you, your family, and your community safe.

For more information on seeking care for digestive diseases, talk to your gastroenterologist and visit patient.gastro.org . This content was reviewed by Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Advisor.