When should I wear a mask? Do we still have to physical distance? It can be tricky to navigate best safety practices as the “new normal” is established. Doctor’s visits are no exception. To help clear up any confusion surrounding your next visit, we are sharing how you can prepare for your visit, and how we are keeping you safe.

As regulatory restrictions relaxed on telehealth services and communities closed down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams across Dignity Health Medical Group took action to rapidly scale virtual care capabilities across the state of California to help our ambulatory physicians and APPs continue to safely see patients, meet demand for care, and reduce the transmission of the virus. Since March, Dignity Health Medical Group physicians have conducted over 150,000 virtual visits. 

Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health, if not more so during stressful times. Stephanie Parmely, PHD, a behavioral medicine specialist with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, shares why it’s crucial to maintain mental health and seek to be emotionally resilient.

Almost everyone has been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. This time of crisis has caused feelings of stress and anxiety for much of the population. For Sara Whatley–Dustin, DO, a Family Medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Ventura Region, virtual visits are a way to provide mental health resources to patients during this stressful time.

Physical health is essential to combat the stress and demands of today’s climate, but it can be difficult to stay healthy when access to public recreational facilities and gyms are limited. However, it’s more important than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even as many of us are spending more time indoors. Christel Miranda, MD a family medicine physician with Mercy Medical Group in Roseville, offers a few tips to help you stay active while at home.