Harvard Medical School July 1, 2020
Access to comprehensive primary care has long been a challenge in the United States, and the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will have far reaching implications on our healthcare system. Sixty percent of Americans have at least one chronic condition, and many patients have complex needs that require additional coordination, time and resources than what traditional models of care provide.
Physical distancing policies and the conversion to virtual health, while important for reducing COVID-19 transmission, threatens maintenance of routine care when virtual health does not adapt to meet the capacity and needs of diverse patient populations. Disruptions in care for patients with complex medical and psychiatric co-morbidities can result in adverse events, particularly when coupled with the...