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MEDICAL YEAR
IN REVIEW

Telehealth:

The Silver Lining of

the Pandemic

By Ivelisse Velázquez Negrón, MD

A COW (computer on wheels – it took me a while to figure that one out
t the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting to vir-
too) connects to the internet; I admit that I was not fond of technol-
tual interactions was one of the most frustrating limitations
that many of us encountered. This frustration was shared
among most of my peers, that after months of being confined to our ogy, especially in an acute psychiatric setting. However, it seems that
the experience was different for most of my patients, and surprisingly,
houses and finishing medical school through virtual didactics, were even more so for the elderly.
craving a more personal connection. However, safety has always been “Good morning, I’m Dr. Velazquez, can you hear me?” Audio is con-
the number one priority. Within time, we all adapted to this new form necting. “Hi, Dr. Velazquez, can you hear us?” “Yes, I can, can you see
of practicing medicine. We learned and made it work for us and for our me?” I asked. “Yes, I can, can you see us?” they asked me. I started my
patients. More than a transitional period, this was going to be a new first assessment with a new patient. She told me that she had not seen
era, and medicine was going to change before and after COVID-19. a doctor for a while since she lived in a town 90 miles away from San
Telehealth was here to stay. Antonio, and at least 60 minutes away from the nearest medical facility.
In the blink of an eye, I was starting my second year of psychiatric res- Her family lived on a ranch, and they had not been out for a long time
idency. I was at Geriatrics printing out my schedule and to my surprise, since their adult daughter had a severe neurodevelopmental disorder
had a fair share of virtual visits. The average age of the clinic was 76 years and was almost fully dependent on her. She confided that it was a lot
old, so I mistakenly thought that my patients would not be “on board” of work and said she appreciated the fact that she was able to get care
with doing virtual visits. As I reviewed their charts, I noted that most through a video call.
of them were vaccinated, so I wondered why they preferred a “MyChart A similar story was told by another patient who was relieved that
video visit” rather than coming to the clinic they had been coming to Medicaid was covering video visits since she did not drive anymore.
for years. I was determined to find out the reason behind this. She explained to me that her husband was physically unable to drive
Certainly, during my intern year I experienced all the struggles you her to San Antonio for her medical appointments. At the end of the
can imagine with technology. One example was not knowing how a day, I realized that what started as a solution for a Public Health Emer-

14 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • December 2021