Dear Patients: What Your Podiatrist Wants You To Know During The COVID-19 Pandemic

As physicians, we care very deeply for our patients and take our work very seriously. This commitment may be even stronger during this coronavirus outbreak. However, our point of view on what that work looks like right now may vary from that of patients, who may only know what their individual appointment looks like. They may not be aware of the scope of what podiatrists do on a regular basis, let alone what DPMs are facing in present times. I hope the following sentiments may represent the situation appropriately and possibly even give some ideas for communication with patients in challenging moments.

Dear Patients,

It goes without saying that these are unprecedented times. As physicians and surgeons, we dedicate our lives to caring for you, our patients. Many of us chose podiatry specifically due to the opportunities it presents to truly form a meaningful connection with you, and hopefully make a difference in your life. Every day, we strive to relieve your pain, improve your function and maintain or regain your foot and ankle health.

However, we want you to know that, in order to protect you, our way of practice MUST change for now. There will be inconveniences. We are sorry about that but it is the only way to “flatten the curve” and prevent you, other patients, our staff, ourselves and our loved ones from spreading the virus. We are used to dealing with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, limb-threatening infections and flu seasons year after year. This is entirely different. Every health-care practitioner is saying it and we are saying it as well. This is gravely serious. Please act accordingly. 

We wish your surgeries did not need to be postponed or cancelled. As soon as it is reasonably safe for them to take place, we will work to re-schedule these surgeries. The ventilators used for anesthesia are desperately needed by others right now and also for emergent, life-saving surgeries. 

Most of us are only seeing emergencies or patients who would otherwise end up in an urgent care or emergency room. These can include fractures, lacerations, punctures, foreign bodies, infections, diabetic foot ulcers and wounds. If you fall into any of these categories, please call our offices. We will advise you on the best course of action. For other cases that are not urgent, many of us are launching the option of telemedicine, which allows us to discuss your concerns over a video platform and do our best to help you in that way. 

Unfortunately, we may not be able to care for your nails or callouses right now. We may not be able to completely resolve the heel pain you have had for over a year. However, we will try to advise you on how best to manage things in the immediate term. We are figuring that out too. Please call our offices if you have concerns but please also trust our judgment in determining what is urgent and what is not. When in doubt, request a telemedicine visit if available. Your doctor will be able to visually appreciate your concerns and then let you know if an in-person visit is necessary. If it is not, know that we have a very good motivation in asking you to postpone your visit: the health of you and your loved ones (and ours as well.) 

First and foremost, we care about your well-being. Additionally, many of us consider our staff like family. As physicians, we are used to a certain amount of exposure to germs in our work. We are trained on how to handle this. However, we need your help. We need you to stay home. More and more services are evolving that can help you with this. Bear with us as we navigate how to offer these services. Our practice paradigms have had to shift almost literally overnight.

Our entire health-care system has been turned upside down. But one thing has not and will not change: our dedication to our work, our craft and our patients. We understand that you are scared and we are too. We worry that we will contract the virus or pass it to someone we care about. We worry what will happen to our practices, the employment of our staff and of ourselves. We still fight, however, for you, your well-being and for that of our colleagues in and out of the hospitals. 

Some of us are volunteering, taking on new and expanded roles when the call is made. Some of us are closer to the frontlines than the public may think. All of us are doing our best to give the best care we can in these uncertain and unusual times. Take care of yourselves, stay in contact and heed your doctors’ advice so we can continue to take care of you too. 

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician. 

Dr. Spector is the Associate Editor of Podiatry Today and previously practiced in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is the President of the American Association for Women Podiatrists.