On Veterans Day, Americans remember and admire the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. However, living veterans have fought another enemy over the past year. It is a pandemic of the new coronavirus.
While many have suffered from anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 crisis, veterans dealing with issues such as PTSD and substance abuse have been particularly hit.
A new study of veterans found that “psychiatric symptoms and suicidal ideation Veterans who survived COVID-19“
According to two doctors at a local veterans’ hospital, veterans had access to mental health help through telemedicine services during the pandemic.
“We were seriously concerned about the rate of increase in mental illness and substance use among patients, especially those who were not actively treated during the worst of the pandemic,” Jesse said. Dr. Sara Unterman, Brown’s emergency outpatient, said the VA Medical Center in Chicago.
“We actively contacted these people and used virtual care to stay connected,” she said. “We’ve seen people who postpone care for months, sometimes even the entire pandemic, but we use new tools built during the pandemic process to provide better treatment than ever before. It is possible in advance. “
VA hospitals appear to reach patients using telemedicine methods after the pandemic. “We continue to do that,” said Dr. Jeffrey Oken, Chief of Staff at Edward Hines Junior VA Hospital. “We plan to keep most of our appointments as video appointments to increase patient flexibility.”
Both hospitals are now fully open and see patients directly. “There is a huge build-up demand, which is really great,” Oken said. “Our clinic is full. We have veterans, both face-to-face and virtual.”
However, you still need a mask. “We continue to require masking on campus,” Oken said.
“According to the CDC, we still need to wear masks in medical facilities. That’s what we do,” says Unterman. “Furthermore, because we are a federal facility, we have been operating under the Executive Order of the President since January 20, and all federal facilities are required to wear masks, which is why people disagree. According to both the President of the United States and the CDC, we all explained that we still need to wear masks, “she said.
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