Catch Up On Care

Dec 31, 2021

Your healthcare team at William Newton Hospital wants you to catch up on care. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of screenings for cancer, heart health, and other conditions has declined as well as child wellness visits. This has lead to worries of an even greater looming health crisis. We asked a few members of WNH's medical staff about the importance of staying up-to-date with preventative care.

REPORTS SHOW THE NUMBER OF SCREENINGS & REGULAR CHECK-UPS FELL LAST YEAR. WHAT ARE YOU EXPERIENCING IN YOUR PRACTICE?

Dennett: We have seen a decline in people scheduling wellness visits on their own. We find ourselves having to reach out to encourage people to do that.

Peters: Well child visits in older children have been missed. Parents of infants and toddlers have been keeping up with their well child visits since the pandemic began. The largest gap is middle school children when they need a tetanus booster. This spring, our Winfield Middle School nurse Lorri Greenlee, informed me that over 100 students were due for vaccines.

Shah: I reiterate the risk of catching COVID-19 at an office visit where measures are taken is much less than out in the public. Keep those appointments.

Wehner: Early in the pandemic, routine visits were discouraged. This was recommended by CDC, and patients were also wanting to avoid exposure. Over the past several months, especially as vaccines have become more available, patients have started to return to a normal routine.

TELEHEALTH OPTIONS WERE EXPANDED DURING THE PANDEMIC. ARE YOU STILL OFFERING TELEHEALTH AS AN OPTION?

Shah: Yes. However I do recommend having a video and audio portion. Get those tech skills out.

Dennett: We do offer telehealth services. It is helpful for some things. I do not think it takes the place of in-person visits. Something such as diagnostic imaging and lab work require on in-person presence.

Wehner: We have found telehealth to be very valuable during the pandemic. We are using telemedicine more frequently than in the past for other difficult situations.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF MISSING THESE PREVENTATIVE CARE VISITS?

Dennett: Missing screenings for cancer, such as a mammogram or colon cancer screening, can lead to a later diagnosis and more difficult or impossible treatment. It is so much easier to prevent something than it is to treat it.

Shah: Preventative care is exactly that. The timing in between such visits is based on guidelines and recommendations that have very good data to back them up.

Peters: The impact is long-term health outcomes. More children have gained weight. Rarely have I seen teens or pre-teens with a 10% or 20% weight gain in six months. Since the pandemic, this happens too often (probably double what I experienced in the seven years in practice before). We're also seeing high blood pressure and sleeping issues.

Wehner: We worry about patients missing routine visits, especially for chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. Many patients have gotten behind in their care and have missed opportunities to manage their medications or to discuss lifestyle changes.

WHAT CAN PATIENTS DO TO CATCH UP ON CARE?

Shah: Call your doctor. Call your specialists. Make those appointments. Take these things seriously. Take your health seriously. Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Get vaccinated. Keep your appointments. In the words of Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, the show must go on!

Dennett: Consider giving your primary care provider a call to see what screenings you are missing.

Peters: Call your primary care provider to schedule a yearly physical (3 years or older), or contact your school nurse. Both are knowledgeable resources in the community.

Wehner: If people are still apprehensive about coming into the clinic, they should notify their physician and discuss alternatives.