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Health Awareness
6 global trends critical to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Expert panel of patient advocacy leaders on COVID-19, its impact on patients and moving forward
October 26, 2021
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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges around the world. It has significantly impacted health systems and health care. MSD recently hosted an expert panel of patient advocacy leaders from around the world to discuss shifts in health care and the impact on patients during the next phases of the pandemic. Special Report: COVID-19 and the Patient Perspective summarizes the panel conversation.
Moderated by MSD’s executive director of global patient advocacy, Michelle Vichnin, MD, the panel highlighted six global trends:
01.
Defining and characterizing the “new normal”
New is the operative word. Panelists note that everyone is learning something new, and resilience and agility are key as we respond to realities that are changing every day. And, this includes a new relationship with technology, which will likely deepen in the wake of COVID-19 and other crises, according to a recent survey.
02.
Understanding the future of patient care
The pandemic has forced health care systems to quickly adapt. Changes and trends in patient care include the adoption of telemedicine/telehealth and mobile delivery of care, increased use of technology for patient data and innovation in digital capabilities to monitor, diagnose and promote health.
03.
Challenges of COVID-19: focus on mental health
In addition to the loss of life and impact on physical health, COVID-19 has taken a toll on people’s mental health. Groups particularly affected include health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
04.
Addressing health care disparities and health equity
The pandemic has highlighted gaps in current health care systems and care models. It’s forcing us, as a society, to grapple with health care disparities and aim for greater health equity. Panelists discussed some ways to improve those inequities, including addressing social determinants of health and building health literacy.
05.
Embracing patients and patient advocates as part of the solution
Because of what we’ve learned through the pandemic, there are opportunities for a renewed focus on health and prevention. This includes greater involvement of patients in all aspects of health care – from clinical trials to product development.
06.
Partnering for success
Collaboration across all sectors will be critical for addressing the enormous challenges that lie ahead and investment in health care should be prioritized.
Read the report
Special Report: COVID-19 and the Patient Perspective
As part of MSD’s corporate volunteering program, MSD Belux organized the MSD Gives Back Days, totally corona-proof, during the working hours of the month of Sept 2020. More than 200 colleagues rolled up their sleeves to support Belgian Non-profit-organization to help them survive corona (you can watch the summary video here). During pandemic times, we were challenged to rethink the way we can encourage our employees to make a difference in such an atypical environment, but the need of help was obvious and we didn’t lack courageous colleagues to show up and help, in hospitals.
In this first round, we’re sharing the stories of Veronique and Stephanie, who both decided to volunteer in two different hospitals during Covid times.
“Volunteering made a lot of sense to me. Being able to help in hospitals rather than staying at home and just working remote, allowed me to feel that I was doing something significant. At first, I was on a waiting list at Mont-Godinne Namur hospital, but afterwards they called me when they needed additional people at the hospital, and I was happy to jump in.
My volunteering was focused on the Saint Nicolas day where, together with two other volunteers, we distributed beautifully wrapped bags of pralines. It took us 2 days to distribute everything (more than 5000 packages). Given this chance, I was be able to meet the members of the different departments of the hospital when they would come to pick up their bag of chocolate. The gesture was a small ray of sunshine in a very darkened sky and the biggest satisfaction was to see that we could brighten everyone’s day and make them happy. The only “disappointment” was that we were not disguised as Saint Nicolas!
Thanks MSD for allowing me to be of service and to be there to help. It feels good when you get back home.”
Stephanie Vermaut: Product Specialist Anesthesie
“In November, December 2020 and January 2021 I did volunteer work in AZ Delta, Roeselare. I always went there to help during the week, on Mondays and Tuesdays. I helped both on the Menen and Roeselare campus, depending on where the demand was the highest. I did my volunteering in the COVID department, geriatrics, mainly helping the health care personnel with tasks such as serving breakfast and lunch. The atmosphere in those departments was friendly and cozy, I felt that my help was really appreciated. Many of the older patients were very happy only with a chat or a little extra help.
I also got a lot of satisfaction from the work myself, since I got to know the hospital in a completely different way. I am grateful that MSD gave me that chance!”
We will continue to share the stories of our employees and their continuous effort to make the world around a better place!
