Don't Neglect Basic Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Post Date: May 05, 2021
In 2020, many things stopped. Your vacation planning, routines, regular visits to friends, and even grocery store trips suddenly came to a halt. But the need for affordable, accessible healthcare did not. That's where Community Health Partners (CHP) can help.
At CHP, caring for our communities never stops. As the situation around us changes by the day, we find new ways to provide care to our communities, regardless of the circumstances. Here are a few of the ways we're getting creative to continue providing top care to our patients.
Making Preventative Care a Priority
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CHP will continue to be open and available to the community, regardless of what happens. It's important to keep up with your regular healthcare appointments, especially during the ongoing health crisis. Annual wellness visits, keeping up with your preventative care checklist, and routine conversations with your healthcare provider all contribute to your health now and in the future. This is even more important given the ongoing public health crisis.
Considering Behavioral Health
There's more to health than just the physical. Maintaining good behavioral health should be a consideration at any time, but especially as closures and lockdowns mean that more people are isolated or stuck at home. Whether you need someone to talk to, are seeking support, or are considering medication to manage symptoms, trained behavioral health professionals at CHP can offer guidance and tools to help you navigate this time. These times are difficult for many, and seeking support is a simple first step that can help you through.
Following Local COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines
We take our community's health seriously. After all, it's our mission! That means we follow the guidelines of health authorities like the CDC and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that our patients and staff stay healthy. At CHP, we follow strict capacity limits and social distancing practices. Precautions like wearing face masks, gloves, and washing hands frequently help keep everyone safe and allow us to continue serving the community, no matter what happens.
Virtual Health Care Visits
If your situation requires you to quarantine or limit exposure to others, CHP offers virtual health care visits when possible. When coming into the clinic in person is nonessential for the health issue you need to address, you can set up a virtual ZOOM visit with your provider at your nearest CHP clinic. These virtual visits give you specialized, one-on-one care from your provider, without having to leave your home.
Using secure online tools like My Chart allows you to share medical information, symptoms, and photos with your healthcare provider, virtually. For information on how to decide if a virtual visit is right for you, as well as how you can make the most out of your online appointment, you can read more here.
As we go forward into 2021, we will vigilantly continue the best practices that promote a healthy and safe environment for our community. Whether that means consistent use of face masks and social distancing, or offering options like virtual health care visits, there are many ways we can provide community care in 2021 safely. Even in a pandemic, CHP will always provide a safe place to get the care you need.
You won't stop caring for yourself or those around you – and we won't either. Reach out to the healthcare providers at the CHP clinic nearest you to schedule your next visit or learn more about virtual options. We don't know exactly what 2021 will bring, but we'll be here, caring for you.
