I’m tired
From the Editor
Dr. Schwarzenberger is the former physician editor of DermWorld.
By Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, June 1, 2020
I hear that a lot these days. COVID-19 blew up the world as we knew it and the process has been, among other things, exhausting. Almost overnight we turned on the digital health switch and started providing care by camera. I am probably not the only one who was surprised to be more tired at the end of a day sitting seeing patients on the computer than I ever was running from room to room. I guess that is part of the learning process. It has been an interesting one, and I am sure we could trade stories about insights gained from our digital “home visits.”
Recently, I met with one patient who didn’t quite make it home before her visit; she called me on the road while her husband drove, children happily entertained in their car seats behind her. I know now which of my patients have pets, whose artwork I like, and who still has popcorn ceilings in their homes. I was able to “join” a patient in her bathroom, while she showed me specifically which products she was using — an invaluable trip for a contact dermatitis doctor. While I am certain that telemedicine will never replace all (or even most) of my in-person visits, I look forward to creatively integrating virtual visits into my practice in the years ahead. We must leverage this collective experience in our advocacy efforts to ensure full coverage for telemedicine going forward; this particular genie should not go back into the bottle. I am sure many of our patients will agree.
Modern technology has allowed for other novel interactions during this crisis. Social media sites have been used to rapidly disseminate medical information as never before as colleagues shared both their professional and personal experiences with the virus on a daily basis. We followed the spread of the virus around the country in real time. When the dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19 surfaced, including the now familiar “COVID toes,” they were instantaneously shared and are now being collected in the COVID-19 Dermatology Registry, which was created in record time and is discussed in this edition by the registry’s principal investigator, Dr. Esther Freeman. While social media lacks peer review, it allows for rapid dissemination of information during a time when knowledge is/was desperately needed.
And, of course, who will not look back on this time in history without (fondly, I hope) recalling a multitude of web-based conferences…and, perhaps, a few online cocktail parties? A brave new world, indeed. But a tiring one.
When you want to unplug for a few minutes, may I suggest reading this month’s Dermatology World? Admittedly, I am biased, but I think (as usual!) that we have some great articles for you. Don’t know the difference between marijuana and CBD? Since your patient may be using at least one of these, you may want to know. Does it seem like your pharmacist has gotten bolder these days? You are not alone. We explore the growing role of pharmacists in patient care. We offer additional legal and regulatory advice on topics relevant to COVID-19. Become inspired by servant leadership.
I hope by the time this edition is published, that the COVID-19 situation will have stabilized. The time course of this virus and its aftermath remains uncertain, but it is likely our new normal will be with us for a while. Please take time for self-care and reach out, if only virtually, to those close to you for support. We do need each other at times like these. Be well.
