Linda Lee, MD, Medical Director of Endoscopy at Boston-based Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shared eight things Brigham and Women’s Hospital is executing in 2021 to have a successful year.
Note: Responses were edited for style and content.
Question: What will make or break your practice in 2021?
Dr. Linda Lee: As no one could predict we would be living through a historic once-in-a-century pandemic, none of us knows what 2021 will bring, although we all hope for a reprieve. Some factors that will be important for allowing academic GI practices to thrive include the following:
1. Protect patients: Patients have expressed a reluctance to step into hospitals because they are concerned about COVID-19. Vaccinations will help with this, as well as emphasizing [your] hospital’s safe care commitment. This should be messaged to patients through multiple methods including text messages, online patient portals, websites, and signs posted in the clinics and endoscopy units outlining steps being taken to ensure the safety of all staff and patients. COVID-19 testing should be performed in close proximity to procedures, especially in areas with high COVID-19 prevalence.