SOCIAL DISTANCING AND YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Boland the Neurologist.jpg

In our continuing coverage of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Neurologist Dr. Deborah Boland joins Sarina for a conversation on the emotional impact of social distancing and how technology can help create social connections.

Founded by Dr. Boland in 2017, Be Mobile Neurology is Tampa Bay’s only mobile neurology private practice. Dr. Boland, who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Movement Disorder Specialist, visits her patients’ residences to provide neurological care and also offers telehealth services.

Dr. Boland says, “Patients are not wanting to leave their homes to go to the doctor, many physicians are converting to televisits, and everyone is kind of scrambling to figure out the televisit option. My practice has had it since we opened, and that was always an option that patients could use since day one.”

Telemedicine is communicating with the physician remotely through telephone, video, text messaging, or email. During a televisit, Dr. Boland uses this technology to conduct the neurologic exam, just as she would for an in-person visit, while ensuring that the patient remains in a safe, healthy environment. 

In addition to providing greater access to your doctor, Dr. Boland believes that technology could be used to help us connect in a meaningful way during this time of social distancing. Social interaction plays a major role in your overall health and well-being, but especially in your brain health. She recommends these alternative ways to maintain healthy social interactions:

  • Make a concerted effort to keep connected to friends and family on an individual day to day basis, using platforms such as social media and video calling.

  • Maintain a schedule, for both work and family life, to help normalize your day-to-day routine.

Dr. Boland says that the elderly, people with neurologic disorders, and other at-risk populations are especially vulnerable at this time. For people with dementia, there will be added challenges for caregivers, since their loved ones could be easily confused or forget to take precautions against illness. It is very important that each family considers the risk of social interaction versus the negative effects of isolation, such as loneliness. 

Dr. Boland explains, “This is happening to so many of my patients. Family members are contacting me and saying, ‘We can’t get into the facility to see our loved ones, what do you want me to do?’ And again, I think just, if you’re in the home, keeping that six-foot distance, and if somebody’s sick completely 100 percent distancing yourself. If you’re a high-risk person, wearing the mask and taking those protections, but trying to figure out alternative methods and ways to interact to maintain that social connection, so that we all have that feeling that we are still connected.”

Dr. Boland also recommends these resources to help during the pandemic:

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