COVID-19 and physician–patient relationship: potential effects of ‘masking’, ‘distancing’ and ‘others’
Abhishek Ghosh, Kshitiz Sharma, Shinjini Choudhury
Abstract
As the world continues to battle coronavirus disease , restrictions and risk-minimization strategies have been put in place to prevent the spread of infection across health care settings, including general practice and primary care settings.As reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 transmission can occur through two routes-respiratory droplets and physical contact (1).Therefore, WHO advises the use of face masks and physical distancing.The general practice settings at the very least will need to adhere to these precautions and adapt to the new normal.Here we are attempting to posit possible impacts of 'masking' and 'distancing' on the doctor-patient relationship.
Topics & Concepts
Masking (illustration)MedicineDistancingCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Face masksSocial distanceBattle2019-20 coronavirus outbreakTransmission (telecommunications)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Health carePandemicFamily medicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)VirologyOutbreakEngineeringPathologyElectrical engineeringArtEconomicsEconomic growthVisual artsArchaeologyHistoryCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsTelemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationCOVID-19 and Mental Health