During these challenging times of COVID-19, Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, MD Skin, Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Trasi’s Clinic & La Piel, has been working towards maintaining morale for both patients as well as staff. With the clinic closed and online consultations on, she has experienced a drop in the number of patients. Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar has received extensive training and experience in treating various skin, hair and nail disorders. She is well-trained in Dermato-surgeries and is an expert in numerous operative procedures of the skin, ranging from mole excisions to extensive vitiligo and nail surgeries. She shares more on the clinic’s approach adopted in the current COVID-19 scenario with Aesthetic Medicine.
How are you managing your practice through the COVID-19 outbreak?
Dermatology practice has few emergencies. As a result, during this COVID-19 outbreak, we have decided to close the clinics. All patients have been informed about the online consultation, through which, we can consult with our patients as much as possible. The number of patients has reduced drastically as not everyone can be tech savvy.
How are you conducting online consultations?
We have started online consultations for our patients. With regards to maintaining the morale of our patients, we are active on social media. We are connecting with them via instant messaging services and YouTube videos
What are the challenges involved in e-consultations for doctors?
Many patients are not tech savvy. As a result, the concept of online consultations seems difficult for them. The other challenge is dermatologists have to see the exact lesions of the disease to get on their diagnosis, so a video call is a must. Here too, sometimes, due to improper lighting or video configurations we cannot diagnose the patient’s disease. We are trying to educate the patients regarding these challenges.
How are you coping with the current situation of COVID-19?
Along with maintain the patients’ morale, we have tried to maintain our staffs’ morale too. Our clinic La Piel has devised a motto – SKIN. Which means:
• Socialise via social media: Chat and video call friends and family.
• Knowledge: Enhance knowledge by reading books.
• Interests: Follow what has interested you.
• Nonsensical games: Like jumping, hiding, making animal sounds and play with the kids.
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