Many of us have started more readily utilizing innovative ways to provide patient care and education since COVID-19. I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little of my telework experience. Three weeks ago I was seeing patients in clinic with advanced practice students, introductory students, and a pharmacy resident by my side. Things quickly changed as they did for many others. I found myself scrambling to complete telework training and agreements, adjusting advanced practice student schedules and assignments and resident activities, along with recording lecture content due to the university moving to all online coursework delivery. We have always had a portion of our visits via phone or video, but this was all done at the practice site for me, not remotely. Also, we have always recorded our lectures for students that are unable to attend, but not necessarily in advance and to an audience of zero.
As I sit at my newly developed home office in my guest bedroom reflecting I am grateful though. The administrators at my practice site made establishing telework a breeze, my university has the tools to allow ease of online/remote content delivery and my students, resident, and patients are extremely understanding as we all work through these crazy times. I have been able to utilize Zoom to complete many meetings, topic discussions, and evaluations and can utilize Doximity to ensure patients still know who is calling and can add on my students with patients’ permission. Despite the stress of rapid changes and the uncertainty we are currently finding ourselves in things have gone fairly smoothly. Not to say I haven’t had some hiccups. I have scheduled Zoom meetings for the incorrect date (watch that by the way), had a slow printer/scanner, had difficulty with Doximity not wanting to call out to my practice site since it is the same number that I have it use when I call patients, and just the overall struggle of being at home (I have always preferred going in to work).
I hope as we continue to social distance and isolate as needed things continue to go as smoothly as possible or that I have the tools to work through speed bumps. I know ADCES is there to support many of us as we face these changes and speed bumps. If teleworking is new to you too they have some great resources on their website and they have webinars (some recorded others live) to assist with regulatory changes. Tomorrow, 3/31/2020, at 2pm EST another webinar will be offered. Check it out if you need help addressing CMS telehealth regulations. https://www.diabeteseducator.org/event/WEBI200331.
Feel free to post a discussion about your experience thus far and any tips/tricks you may have.
Stay safe and healthy!
Amanda