ACOFP Blog
For Family, By Family—ACOFP Blog
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the limited access, inadequate quality and high cost of mental health resources, putting more responsibility onto the individual to evaluate their own mental health.
As air travel is expected to globally increase by 2039, family physicians should be prepared to help patients prevent venous thromboembolisms by addressing risk factors and reducing said risk.
Establishing with a PCP and maintaining regular follow up appointments will always be an important component of taking control of your health, but this year—more than ever—it is imperative for patients to find their health home.
The mainstays for treatment for major depressive disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medications; however, we also have an underutilized opportunity to connect our patients with depressive symptoms to lifestyle modifications that have the potential to improve their mental health, especially in the area of nutrition.
For years we have been telling our patients to move more. With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to wide-spread shutdowns, stay-at-home orders and quarantine protocols, employees are working from home and finding new and even more sedentary daily routines than ever before. As a result of this physical inactivity, metabolic and musculoskeletal complications may lead to worsening of these chronic diseases and increase the number of physically disabled people in the years to come.
In the day and age of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many are searching for consistent guidance on measures they can take to protect themselves and loved ones. Primary care physicians are often on the front lines of these conversations and, as such, it is vital that a uniform, evidence-based message is being relayed to patients on up-to-date recommendations.
Advocacy can take place in any form as long as the goal of promoting change in the system can be achieved. What’s most important is to start taking active steps towards advocacy. By engaging in more advocacy, current and future physicians will be able to make a positive impact on patient health and wellness.
The coronavirus will not go away immediately. Therefore, preventive medicine needs to adapt. Physicians and all health professionals need to consider the benefits of physical activity for their personal health, and for the health of the public. During our COVID-19 existence, exercise is not only good for maintaining physical health, but it is a critical component of maintaining mental fitness.
While more research is needed to implement a new standard of care, the first few studies on iron supplementation and hepcidin have had promising results. This new research can lead to a positive discussion between patient and provider. It can also give us an alternative to offer if patients simply cannot stick to the standard dosing regimen. Regarding our own education, it offers physicians a new insight into a decades-old condition.
Cervical screening through regular Pap smears, as well as the HPV vaccine, are both incredible tools in the prevention of cervical cancer. When it comes to risk reduction for cancer development, women should be educated by their health care providers that prevention is indeed the best medicine.
An estimated 9.4% of the United States (U.S.) population has diabetes and 33.9% of U.S. adults 18 years and older have prediabetes (Center for Disease Control, 2017). A missed or underutilized opportunity for treatment in this population is education and motivation to part take in physical activity.
