Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1470097
W e at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center are passionate about keeping you and your loved ones healthy—now and in the future. We know how busy your lives are, but a critical part of staying healthy is seeing a primary care physician, your trusted partner, on a regular basis and getting health screenings as you age. These regular medical visits and routine screening tests are your first line of defense against disease. Sarah Ahmed, MD, who works at affiliate Facey Medical Group, Mission Hills, discusses how we can work together to stay on top of your health game. Do you feel like people have put off important tests and doctor visits because of COVID? While it may be true that many people have stopped getting regular care due to the pandemic, I've also seen the other side of the spectrum in my practice. People are being reminded of how important it is to prioritize their health, including preventive care. And many people who normally would not have established care with a primary care provider are coming in, often for the first time ever in their lives or in years, which means underlying diseases are being caught earlier. Why are regular testing and doctor's appointments necessary? Regular checkups are essential to prevent diseases that otherwise would change the course of one's life. Many of us might avoid going to the doctor until we have that severe headache, chest pain or life-threatening illness that brings us into the emergency department. At that point, quantity— and, more importantly, quality—of life may be adversely affected. For example, your primary doctor may be able to catch a cancerous mass before it has spread, or can refer you to a specialist based on abnormal routine screening tests. What do you consider the most important tests to get? In general, the cancer-screening tests, such as mammograms for breast cancer, Pap smears for cervical cancer, colonoscopy or stool-based testing for colon cancer, and lung-cancer- screening CT scans for certain at-risk patients, are among the most important. What would you say to someone who has been putting off their doctors' appointments and is now embarrassed about it? There is nothing to be embarrassed about! Our job as physicians is to educate and guide patients to lead healthier lives, not to chastise or place blame. A good doctor-patient relationship is based on mutual trust and respect, allowing for a space in which patients are comfortable to share their concerns without fear of being judged. What COVID safety precautions are in place for people accessing health care now? There has been a huge rise in the use of telemedicine, especially at the height of the pandemic, which involves virtual video and telephonic visits instead of in-person visits, to help minimize transmission of COVID. We also have had screening questions and temperature checks for patients and visitors, and prior to patients even presenting to clinic they are being asked screening questions to determine the best setting for the visit. There are restrictions on the number of visitors, and universal masking for patients and employees remains in place. For a primary care provider referral, call 888-HEALING (432-5464). Sarah Ahmed, MD, Primary Care Physician Health Matters: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center | 11