Many medical practices in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties are offering video visits or telehealth so that people can stay safely at home while still getting expert advice on medical issues. It's remarkable how much good care can happen with a cell phone or tablet camera. Parents have invited me into their homes, which has been a privilege each time. When a 3-year-old gets off from mom's lap and runs to play, I can assess the likelihood that he has appendicitis nearly as well as if I were pushing on his belly in front of me. A parent can be a remote examiner, assisting me as I request, "can you gently tug on his ear, and let's see if he seems to mind?"
For older children, I have had some important conversations with teens about their life goals, feeling in limbo, and how they are coping. Despite the concerns about stress on mental health, I'm impressed by the degree of maturity and insight most teens are showing, with attention to their self-care.
Life may seem easier for parents with infants and young children. But parents who are essential workers have a dilemma in deciding if they should risk their older relatives' health for child care. For many working families, there are no easy choices.
Be sure to contact your doctor's office to see if your child needs a physical, vaccines, or care for an illness or injury. It is especially critical that parents not delay vaccines. Given the nature of this health crisis as an infectious pandemic, what a tragedy it would be to allow it to put our children at an increased risk of influenza or measles.
There are new procedures for parents to get safe, effective treatment for their child even while sheltering in place. At Acacia Family Medical Group, we conduct most visits by video. Occasionally we will conduct a remote visit and then briefly visit with the child in the parking while they sit comfortably in your car. By doing this, we can vastly decrease the number of patients seen in the office, ensuring that children's physicals don't get delayed.
Dr. Sumana Reddy earned her medical degree at the University of Toronto Medical School. Her specialty training was completed at the UC San Francisco Family Practice Residency Program in Salinas. Dr. Reddy takes a special interest in preventive health for men and women, and health education in chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. She also pursues involvement in issues of child development, media exposure, and literacy. Dr. Reddy is married and has two children.
Acacia Family Medical Group locations:
400 East Romie Lane, Salinas, CA 93901, (831) 770-0123
8036 San Miguel Canyon Rd., Prunedale, CA 93907, (831) 663-0123
To learn more about Acacia Family Medical group, click here.