Many of these patients do not have a primary care physician and are instead turning to their specialists for information. While physicians specializing in cardiology, pulmonology or obstetrics may have existing training relevant for COVID-19, the situation poses new challenges for dermatologists, ophthalmologists and endocrinologists, among other specialties.
Most specialists have limited in-person visits to only those that are absolutely necessary and instead spend most of their time fielding phone calls from patients. Scott Isaacs, MD, an Atlanta-based endocrinologist, said he’s received a flood of calls from his diabetes patients who have questions about how to get tested for COVID-19 and whether they should stockpile extra medications during the pandemic.
“We’re hearing a lot of anxieties from specialists who don’t know what the right thing to do is for their patients,” Megan Ranney, MD, a Rhode Island-based emergency physician, told NYT.
Representatives from various medical associations told the publication they are working to create and share resources to better support physicians during the pandemic.
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