Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jeffrey Millstein and Jeffrey Tokazewski
Published on 2024-02-22 09:30:38
The article details the experience of being on weekend call for an office-based internal medicine practice as described by Jeffrey M. The author recounts a phone call from a concerned patient whose 96-year-old mother is exhibiting respiratory symptoms, highlighting the ability to provide reassurance and effective care even during non-office hours.
The importance of shifts and specialized teams for after-hours care is discussed, taking note of the toll it can take on primary care clinicians to manage unexpected calls outside of regular work hours. This reflects a larger shift towards prioritizing the well-being of healthcare professionals.
The article then emphasizes the need for sustainable solutions to address after-hour care. This includes considering alternative care delivery models such as leveraging telemedicine technology, where virtual care clinicians can manage these calls, allowing primary care doctors to be free from after-hours call responsibilities.
Further, the potential benefits of updated after-hours care processes are highlighted, including streamlined and accessible care for patients, reduced reliance on urgent care or emergency room services, as well as enhanced patient outcomes, lowered costs, and improved well-being for primary care clinicians.
The need to balance tradition with the advent of innovative approaches in healthcare is underscored. Patients deserve timely care and support, while clinicians deserve the opportunity to rest and recharge. The article concludes by sharing the viewpoints of primary care physicians, including their experiences of hearing anxious voices on call and the potential progress of the health system in responding to these challenges.
Through sharing these insights and experiences, the article provides a compelling case for rethinking after-hours care in healthcare, particularly in the context of primary care practices. Furthermore, it encourages the exploration of innovative and integrated care delivery models to meet the evolving needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
Overall, the article effectively illustrates the challenges of providing after-hours care, the shifting landscape of healthcare, and the potential benefits of embracing new approaches to support both patients and clinicians. It offers a thoughtful perspective on the importance of enhancing after-hours care and represents an important contribution to the ongoing conversations about the advancement and improvement of primary care practices.
