Lakshmi Balasubramanian, M.D., physician at Texas Oncology–Cedar Park, wants patients to recognize the importance of prioritizing self-care to stay healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and to use services like telemedicine, when appropriate.
Telemedicine is one of the ways Texas Oncology has shifted the delivery of patient care, Dr. Balasubramanian said during a recent conversation with Jeannine O’Deens, executive director for Susan G. Komen of Greater Central and East Texas. Telemedicine helps patients communicate with their physicians through virtual appointments, with an added advantage of immediate support throughout the process.
While anxiety around surgery and treatment among some cancer patients has increased, telemedicine has enabled physicians to provide consultation, follow-up visits, toxicity checks, and genetic counseling virtually to help relieve some of this stress.
Dr. Balasubramanian said the pandemic also sheds light on essential activities such as meal-planning, healthy shopping, and exercising. With social activities on pause during the pandemic, there is a silver lining to focus on self-care. “We just have to hang in there together, support each other, and overcome the virus,” she said. Watch the full conversation in the video below.