While clinics remain open and safe for in-person visits, many conditions are suitable for virtual visits, allowing patients a safe and convenient option for receiving high-quality care when needed from the comfort of their home.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital resources have provided avenues of connection and learning for children. School, appointments, and friendships now take place in a virtual world. It's no different in health care where virtual visits have also enabled physicians to continue to see patients. 

Karl Zeff, MD, a psychiatrist with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group’s behavioral health program, was delighted to find that virtual visits have enhanced behavioral health visits with his patients.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual visits are playing an even more important role in patient care. For Dr. Christine Braid of Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group in Citrus Heights, California, video visits have presented an opportunity to connect with patients on a human level over the last month.

The Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) has recognized three Dignity Health Medical Groups along with Dignity Health Medical Network in Santa Cruz (the largest network of independent physicians in Santa Cruz County) for providing high-quality care to Medicare Advantage patients in California. The IHA is a statewide nonprofit group committed to high-value care that improves quality and affordability for patients across the nation.

Families across the country are adapting to a new in-home routine to keep themselves and others safe during this unprecedented time. As many are facing adjusted school and work days, Dr. Kimberly Hart, a pediatrician with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group in Citrus Heights, is sharing tips to help keep kids active and engaged indoors.