The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges in navigating parenthood. With schools across the country going online and limited social activities available for children, many parents are concerned about the potential long-term impacts of keeping their kids at home for long periods of time, and eventually returning to school. Dr. Marvi Montano-Ip, MD, a pediatrician with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, shared common concerns from patient families and addressed ways parents can navigate these unprecedented challenges.

You’ve decided virtual care is right for you and your health, so you scheduled a virtual visit with your doctor. Now what is the next step?

There is a lot of buzz about telehealth and virtual care these days, but how do you know if a virtual doctor’s visit is the right option for you? Many different appointments are suited for virtual visits and are just as effective in providing health care as an in-person visit.

Munir S. Janmohamed, MD, advanced heart failure cardiologist and medical director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support/Heart Failure Program with Mercy Medical Group, has experienced first-hand how virtual visits expand patient care. Through virtual visits, Dr. Janmohamed has been able to help patients manage chronic heart failure, improve their symptoms, and in some cases, prevent hospitalization.

Now more than ever, it is important to maintain regular health care, especially for those with underlying medical conditions. People with diabetes should continue prioritizing their routine health care during this time. Lack of adequate follow-up care could mean not realizing when diabetes is in poor control. This places them at a higher risk of developing a more advanced case of COVID-19, and can lead to other complications of diabetes.