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• 41 ~ The Future of Medicine “AC”
however, for health care concierge services, for which pa- tients pay annually out-of-pocket.
Doctor-Patient Interaction
Private Practices
Private doctors’ offices are always set up to protect staff and patients. At the time of this writing, all patients are being treated as though they have the virus, since those without symptoms can shed it without anyone’s knowl- edge. Private practitioners stipulate that patients wear masks and wait outside to be escorted into a room right away (without waiting time). Each patient is treated indi- vidually, as though he or she were the only patient. Those with upper respiratory conditions must go to the main hospital, with branches serving their communities.
Hospital Settings
Large hospitals have expanded their prioritization ca- pacity, installed plexiglass barriers and panes at check-in desks and in hospital room doorways. Hospital staff fo- cuses on isolating infected patients, avoiding cross-con- tamination, and enforcing mandatory guidelines, such as wearing masks and gloves. Health providers know that mitigation strategies are our hope for curbing and, ulti- mately, eliminating the plague.
Remote Care Through the Use of Technology
As time passes, technology will play an increasing role in the administration of health care. Tele-visits are already taking place via digital conferencing software, and soon, apps will be developed to facilitate self-initiated care, such as monitoring blood pressure and EKG results. However, nothing ever can take the place of caring ‘ bedside manner.’