In a column published on November 5 on the online appointment booking platform Doctolib, healthcare professionals are appealing to patients. They invite them to continue to take charge of their health, in particular during the second confinement, to avoid ” collateral damages “.
“Stay at home, but don’t give up on taking care of yourself”
This is the second confinement of the French population and lessons can be learned from the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic. During the first confinement, 1 in 3 French people gave up consulting their doctor, by “ fear of contaminating themselves or disturbing their health professionals ”. Indeed, “between January and April 2020, attendance at medical offices fell by 44% among general practitioners and 71% among specialists. “. As for certain establishments in the medical sector, such as physiotherapists or dentists, they had to close. Regarding this second wave of coronavirus, the number of appointment cancellations has already increased by 30%, according to internal data from the Doctolib site. This rate is ” worrying “For doctors and other professionals, because giving up treatment during confinement is” take a risk “. To prevent this phenomenon from continuing, and above all, to prevent possible collateral damage for patients, as in the first wave, healthcare professionals are delivering a simple, but clear message: “ treat you “.
The risks of forgoing healthcare
The potential dangers when doctors’ offices are deserted by patients are many and real. Delaying the diagnosis, weakening medical follow-up, revealing complications or suffering physically and psychologically over the long term, are risks that sick people can avoid. Furthermore, “ the renunciation of care has in particular led to significant delays in diagnoses in oncology; for patients, the loss of luck is obvious “. In addition, according to the Doctolib forum, a person’s state of health can deteriorate, forcing him to resort to hospital services, which are already overloaded.
“Continuity of care for all is essential”
More than 10,000 healthcare professionals support the #CareYou initiative. General practitioners, midwives, pediatricians, gynecologists and even psychologists recall that their mission is to treat us, even during a difficult health situation: “ we continue to do it because it is our job “. They guarantee a secure reception in their premises, thanks to the application of hygiene measures. The rooms are ventilated, the barrier gestures respected and the equipment disinfected, especially that in contact with the patient. Many professionals have reorganized their diaries and waiting rooms, to prevent the contamination of patients between them. In addition, specific time slots are planned for Covid-19 patients who are symptomatic or suspected of being infected. More and more of them are also offering tele-consultation, recommended for “ a first diagnosis, a prescription renewal, an explanation of analysis results or to listen to your overall and psychological situation “. The video consultation can be simple and useful, in addition to being covered by 100% Medicare. Millions of French people have used it. ” Dear patients, the health context is worrying but there is no inevitability: continue to adopt barrier gestures, download the “Tous Anti Covid” application and, with your exceptional travel certificate, consult your health professionals », Conclude the authors of the forum.