1/ I did my first telehealth (by phone) clinic for people living with HIV. It’s hard to discuss fears and give guidance with such uncertainty on #COVID19. I made myself a template, but am interested in what others are doing. #IDTwitter #HIVTwitter Here’s mine:
2/First I asked: What questions do you have about the new coronavirus or the COVID-19 illness?
I made sure their questions answered first but also used this as a knowledge/health literacy assessment and reviewed mechanisms of spread
I made sure their questions answered first but also used this as a knowledge/health literacy assessment and reviewed mechanisms of spread
3/ Social distancing: discussed what they are doing currently; encouraged 6-foot social distancing, avoiding crowds; assessed access to food, shelter, and medications; reviewed some risk mitigation strategies for work for those who are still working
4/ Hand washing and cleaning your space: sanitizer, soap (!), bleach, high touch surfaces
Emotional and social support: do they have people they can rely on or talk to; are they living with anyone they are worried about or have to care for; offered telecounseling from our clinic
Emotional and social support: do they have people they can rely on or talk to; are they living with anyone they are worried about or have to care for; offered telecounseling from our clinic
5/What to do if you get sick? Reviewed symptoms of COVID-19, how they are different from flu; asked patients to call first if they have fever and a cough unless they are short of breath; let them know that I cared about them and we'll be here for them.
