Re-Engaging Patients During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic – AAOA Zoomcast

A brief summary of the Re-Engaging Patients 2021 – AAOA Zoomcast Series: Just In Time Content for AAOA Members, Part II. Written by Jodi Zuckerman MD, FAAOA.

Panelists: Steven Houser, MD; Haidy Marzouk, MD; Paul Neubauer, MD; Nalin Patel, MD; Robert Stachler, MD.

Moderator: Ayesha Khalid, MD.

• Let Patients and Referring doctors know you are open and in what context
  • Get the word out that you are seeing patients, performing procedures, offering telehealth
  • Have a strong online presence, communication on your website •Policies for COVID precautions
• Let Patients know you are following COVID protocols and the office is a safe place to come for evaluation
  • From central scheduling to phone, scripts provided to ensure patients of cleaning, masks, spreading out patients and volume
  • Keeping the office safe and these protocols visible to patients
    • Universal masking, PPE for providers
    • Screening over the phone or with text applications of symptoms prior to appointments
    • Extensive cleaning in the rooms
    • Allowing turn over of air in procedure rooms in between patients
    • Air purification strategies
    • Staggered appointments
    • Fewer patients in the office, waiting room at any time
    • Change the flow of traffic
    • Reassurance for the staff and patients that protocols are being followed and the office is a safe place
• Embracing Telemedicine
  • Pure telemedicine (These visits can save the need or an office appointment and can be done without physical exam at the flexibility of the patient)
    • Post op checks
    • Med Refill
    • Allergy Follow Up
    • Preoperative Consent, Allergy treatment consents
    • Offers opportunity for larger geographic pool of patients that may live a far distance from your office
    • Using tools to try and adjust for the physical absence
    • Pictures, video otoscope, video endoscope
  • Hybrid Approach
    • Use telemedicine to obtain historical information and all other necessary information
    • Have patient come in for a limited time strictly for the procedure or diagnostic study
  • Have handouts that will guide patients how to be prepared for their telehealth visit

View the Re-Engaging Patients During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic Zoomcast.