As each day brings something new to all of us, we adapt right along with it. Spending so much time at home can be daunting for some and comforting for many others. Trying to look at a situation with rose-colored glasses isn't always easy either, but many of us have been coping by trying out new activities and creating new routines to keep us motivated each and every day. Is there a certification you have been putting off? Do you have a recipe book from your great Aunt Bertha that has been collecting dusk but is full of gems? Is your sister having a baby and you need to get her something 'meaningful' but you don't know what to craft?
Now-a-days people pride themselves on having "Masters' in YouTube" but perhaps there is something to that. There is so much free and original content on there, that you can essentially find the answer to anything you want. Some suggestions for how-tos to look for on you-tube are:
One thing to keep in mind about YouTube is that because there is not necessarily a paywall with these videos (you can get the paid subscription so that you don't have to see ads) there is no guarantee that the people you are watching and learning from are certified instructors. However, this does open up a world where YOU can also add your own knowledge as well if you have something people could learn from.
Check out other learning platforms with certified instructors and ideas for new hobbies:
National Public Health Week
First and foremost, THANK YOU to all of the public health workers who are on the front lines working with patients in the health care field every day. Right now, people are doing everything they can to help those in need.
NPHW shines a light on the work that people in the public health industry do every day and how it impacts so many lives. Each day of this week had a different theme and topic. Including mental health, violence prevention, environmental health, healthy housing, and economics.
More in-depth information about these themes can be found on the National Public Health Week website here: http://www.nphw.org/nphw-2020
Public Health encompasses a wide variety of fields and its aim is to help reduce infectious diseases, combat chronic disease and address the numerous risk factors affecting our communities.
Learn More about NPHW and Public Health:
Paramount Advantage Medicaid
Tips for ensuring a successful telemedicine visit with a patient
Dee Ann Bialecki-Haase MD, MBA, CPE
Chief Medical Officer, Paramount
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made us all think about the way we interact with others. As a health care provider at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), your role is particularly challenging as you try to maintain quality one-on-one patient care and practice social distancing.
Telehealth is one tool that can help with that. Now may be the right time to practice more telemedicine at your FQHC. As part of our state’s response to COVID-19, Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have relaxed rules around telehealth.
The emergency rules ease restrictions on the types of technologies and interactions that can be used for telehealth services. It also expands the list of eligible providers who can provide them. (You can find the complete emergency action here)
My family medicine practice in Perrysburg is definitely using it more – especially telephonic visits. Patients find great comfort in being able to talk with a provider from the privacy of their home and receive timely medical advice to maintain their health during this crisis. It has also allowed me to keep appointments with patients who are most at risk for getting COVID-19 without them having to experience potential exposure to the virus in the office. And, during these uncertain days, it has given me the opportunity to reassure patients.
Over the past three years of practicing telemedicine, I have learned a few things. I hope these tips will help you in your practice as well.
• Relax and try not to rush the visit
• Take a thorough history
• Have the patient and family help with the exam. Patients can take photos and upload them to the site. And, they can palpate areas like their neck and sinuses.
If you are new to telehealth, it’s important to carefully review and understand the rules established through Emergency Action 5160-1-21, “Telehealth in a State of Emergency.” Other resources include your compliance department and the health plan networks in which you participate.
From Paramount Advantage Medicaid
Helping patients cope with the loneliness of social distancing
Dee Ann Bialecki-Haase MD, MBA, CPE
Chief Medical Officer, Paramount
There is no doubt that the recent and sudden changes caused by social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak have disrupted our routines and made everyday life more challenging. While staying home is important for slowing the spread of the coronavirus, the self-isolation is causing many of our patients to feel alone.
As health care providers, we have all seen the research that links social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. None of these will help our patients avoid COVID-19 or recover from it.
But, helping our patients cope with the loneliness of these days and reminding them that we will get through this together will support the resiliency we all need today to do just that.
Our world may feel smaller – but our view of it does not have to. Now, more than ever, we need to take care of one another and encourage our patients to do the same. Here are some ideas to share with patients in hopes of helping them feel less lonely and more engaged in the world around them:
- Take a break from coronavirus news. It can be unsettling and overwhelming to constantly listen or watch the news about the pandemic. Instead, get your information from reliable sources once or twice a day.
- Stay connected. Make a list of people to reach out to. Use video calls, phone calls, emails, texts or social media.
- Check on elderly and disabled friends, relatives and neighbors. Offer to pick up groceries or prescriptions for them.
- Embrace the extra time at home with your loved ones. Pull out the board games. Laugh at old family videos and pictures. Work on a home project together.
- If you have children, now is a great time to teach them lessons about altruism. Show them examples of how communities are coming together. Help them contribute: Make cards for those in nursing homes where visitors are limited. Draw thank-you pictures for health care providers at your local hospital.
Find ways to comfort yourself. Take a walk. Do yoga or practice deep breathing. Focus on your pet. Take a bubble bath. Or, immerse yourself in your favorite hobby.
If you are spiritual, follow practices at home that provide you with comfort and emotional strength.
For the latest Paramount Advantage COVID-19 information and links to the CDC and Ohio Department of Health websites, please visit paramounthealthcare.com/covid-19.
April is Autism Awareness Month!
Autism is a disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder is found in 1 in 59 children according to the CDC. What is Autism? People with Autism often display behaviors that are restricted, repetitive and contain patterns. April 2nd will celebrate the 13th World Autism Day were tons of community members, landmarks, buildings and individual
homes all over the world will #LightItUpBlue to show support.
The puzzle piece image that is often associated with Autism is to help show the complexity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to Autism-Society.org, "The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope — hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on the own terms."
Organizations like Autism Speaks offer information on ways that you can get involved with Autism based companies, ways that you can help fundraise and other ways that you can help spread awareness. Learn More Here!
For More Ways to Spread Awareness and to Learn More:
Now-a-days people pride themselves on having "Masters' in YouTube" but perhaps there is something to that. There is so much free and original content on there, that you can essentially find the answer to anything you want. Some suggestions for how-tos to look for on you-tube are:
