Melissa Shive

“JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN’T SEE SYMPTOMS…”: A STORY FROM A LONG COVID CLINIC By Meredith Li-Vollmer As the Primary Care Medical Director for the University of Washington Long COVID Clinic, Dr. Nikki Gentile supports patients and also studies the effects of long COVID, focusing on pain. In this comic strip, she shares some of the challenges facing patients and offers suggestions to help patients manage symptoms. Long COVID Resources If you think you might have long COVID: Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you or your child has long COVID. It can be hard to explain symptoms of long COVID. CDC has information to help get the most out of a medical appointment for long COVID: Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Long COVID The University of Washington Long COVID Clinic serves residents of King County. Your healthcare provider can refer you to the clinic. Information: Post-COVID Rehabilitation | UW Medicine See a list of recommended resources from a member of the long COVID community in another post from this series: Recommended resources from Deepa Information about long COVID: An Interview with Dr. Nikki Gentile: Covid and Long Covid by Dr. Chris Sanford (Dr. Travel Chris) from June, 2024. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine presents conclusions about Long COVID diagnosis, symptoms, and impact on daily function in a report from June 2024. Washington State Department of Health has a Long COVID resource page: Long COVID | Washington State Department of Health CDC has information on research and links to resources on Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions including Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section | HHS.gov. Preventing long COVID Anything you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID in the first place and decrease the risk of severe disease will also reduce the risk of long COVID. So that means: Keeping up with COVID-19 vaccinations. Using all the protective measures, especially in crowded situations, like wearing well-fitting masks and making sure there is good air flow in rooms. Even if you had previous infection and never got long COVID, it is important to take precautions because long COVID can still occur during re-infection. Testing early and if you are eligible, getting treatment if you get infected with COVID-19. Other long COVID stories  This comics series features King County residents and providers sharing their experiences with the long-lasting symptoms and conditions that can follow an infection with COVID-19. Thank you to Nikki Gentile for sharing this story. Other stories in the series: Coming to Terms with Long COVID: Deepa’s Story – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER They Don’t See the Crash: Jesse’s Long COVID Story – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER Continued....there are a number of illustrations if you click on the banner below to access the URL. Posted by Larry Cole

3

First step in fixing a problem like this is awareness of our own biases - implicit or otherwise - and identifying key areas to target for improvement. I agree that increasing reimbursements, effiencies, and overall access to care are needed. We also need to support efforts to train clinicians from historically marginalized groups. (Shout out to societies like Nth Dimensions, J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society, PERRY INITIATIVE, and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS) ). Many studies highlight the overwhelming benefits of a diverse physician work force. Multi-faceted issues require multi-faceted solutions. What other steps can we, as a society, take to fight disparities in patient care?

2

Dr. Dr. Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA Nayyar a rheumatologist and author, discusses how misinformation and disinformation is eroding the trust between doctors and patients, and how healthcare organizations can be part of the solution. #AHIP2024 AHIP https://lnkd.in/g2eDKFFG

1

We had an incredible time at this year's annual symposium, focusing on the most promising advances in closing the health inequity gap through upstream policies and innovations. Our discussions centered on the policies that govern the social determinants of health and the innovations that facilitate the advancement of health equity. Trailblazing advocates shared their insights and achievements, highlighting the importance of removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences. We engaged in thought-provoking round table discussions and dialogues with audience participants, exploring questions about the role of AI and other innovations in eradicating barriers to health equity. A huge thank you to our esteemed speakers: Caswell Evans, DDS, MPH, Kimberly S.G. Chang, MD, MPH, Kaz Rafia, DDS, MBA, MPH, Chief Health Equity Officer, Exec. Vice President, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Ariana McGee, Founder & CEO, Navigate Maternity. Participants gained valuable insights on the impact of policy in eliminating poverty and discrimination, the role of policy in driving innovations, and how to effect policy change in their work. A special focus was given to a case study on reproductive health, examining the impact of policy and innovation. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the continued quest to advance health equity. Together, we are making our communities more powerful and lives more equitable! 🌟 #HealthEquity #Innovation #PolicyChange #SymposiumRecap

50

3 Comments

Dr. Raj Singh M.D., the primary care physician at HEALOR, a Las Vegas-based holistic primary care clinic, and the medical director of RAREV medspa, was recently featured on KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas. In the news segment, one of Singh’s patients was profiled for his successful weight-loss journey using the medication Mounjaro. Of greater focus in the story, however, was Singh’s views on the dangers of weight-loss drugs being available online without a prescription. “I think the biggest [concern] is how easily they are available without proper bloodwork or a proper exam,” Dr. Singh said, while adding that getting your heart, kidney and liver function checked before taking the medications is critical. “[For example], there’s a huge risk of developing gallstones if you are losing weight too rapidly. So, we have medications we use prophylactically so you don’t develop gallstones.” Blood clots are another potential side effect of the medications, Singh added, further emphasizing the need for medical oversight when using the drugs. He also said receiving fake pills or improper dosages from online sources is another risk. Even with these dangers, demand for the drugs continues to explode. Singh’s clinic receives between 10 and 15 inquiries for weight-loss medication daily. To learn more about Dr. Raj Singh, visit https://lnkd.in/gAHTsQZr.

2