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Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Programming: Why Returning to the Doctor's Office is So Important SPONSORED CONTENT Syed Ahmed Hussain, M.D. Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Office Trinity Health Of New England N early two years ago, the world came to a halt and everything was put on hold while we grappled with the new reality of COVID-19. Keeping up with annual well-visits has certainly not been top-of-mind for many patients for the past two years. Sadly, doctors across the state are seeing the consequences now, with an influx of non-COVID patients coming into hospitals acutely ill. In a conversation with Dr. Syed Ahmed Hussain, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Trinity Health Of New England, we discuss why annual primary care visits are so critical to your health and well-being, and how they're making it easier than ever to schedule your appointment. Q: Early in the pandemic, when public safety measures such as staying at home and social distancing were strongly encouraged, many delayed their preventive care and wellness visits. What is your recommendation to the community now, as vaccination rates rise and it is safe to return to care? A: The message early on in the pandemic was: stay home. And people listened. But, while that helped case numbers drop before vaccines were available, it also led to situations where people didn't seek medical care when they should have. Heart disease, stroke, and cancer haven't gone away just because there is a pandemic. In fact, they're another pandemic in themselves. High blood pressure is the silent killer, and other chronic diseases such as diabetes need to be managed properly with the support of your primary care doctor. If patients are still concerned or fear that coming to the hospital or doctor's office is not safe… I assure you it is safe! Nearly 100% of Trinity Health Of New England colleagues are vaccinated. Among the several safety protocols in place, we have pre-procedure testing, plus all our locations have safety screenings upon entry, enhanced cleaning measures, and designated COVID-free zones. Q: Why is primary care so important and a critical step in an individual's journey to health and well-being? A: Primary Care providers look at the big picture of a person's health and wellness, and have a wider, more holistic lens than a specialist might. They are there to guide patients through their personal health journey, looking at family history, exercise, nutrition, health habits, stress levels, mental wellness, all to get an overall look at the risk or chances for chronic disease as well as provide education and information that could make staying healthy easier for the patient. Prevention is the key for all – preventive screenings, preventive visits, preventive health habits are what allow us to raise our chances of longevity and living a healthy and happy life. Many times, if people are going to their annual exams, we're able to catch issues early. Many cancers, for example, are diagnosed in early stages when patients adhere to their annual exam schedule. Mammograms and Colonoscopies are essential tools for catching cancers that are easily treated when caught early. Two years after the pandemic began, a cancer that might have been in stage one a year ago could have progressed to stage two, three or four. We know it can be a little daunting or scary to go to see a primary care doctor, especially if it's been a long time since you've been, but we encourage you to take this important first step to take care of yourself, and ensure you have the knowledge and the tools needed to be there to continue to care for your family and live a long, happy life! Q: What is your message to those who are still hesitant to go see a primary care doctor or say they just don't have time, or life is too busy? A: Get a telehealth visit scheduled and talk to a doctor right from your home. It won't include all your preventive screenings, but at least it's a start! We understand, life is really busy and so many of us are taking care of everyone and everything else around us: kids, parents, jobs, houses. But who will take care of all of that if you aren't well enough to be here? You matter and your health matters to those who love you, so you need to carve out the time for yourself and your wellness. We listen to our patients, and understand that as a healthcare organization, we need to make it easy. So, we're continuing to expand our services in locations that are closer to home for many. We just opened our latest Access Center in Rocky Hill, with more to come. This has primary care and specialty care all in one location, including blood draw, x-ray/ radiology, and physical therapy. And, we just launched online scheduling for primary care appointments. New or existing patients can book an appointment with a primary care physician at their convenience online at TrinityHealthOfNE.org/schedule. Now you can truly take charge of your own health! No middleman, you make your own appointment, with the doctor of your choosing. More options exist now that didn't exist before the pandemic that are making it even easier to access and manage your own healthcare. No excuses with convenience like that! It's time to put your health first. To learn more visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/ schedule