key: cord-0801875-80p2xi4e
authors: Nadolsky, Karl Z
title: Letter to Editor Response to Covid-19 Endocrinology & Diabetology
date: 2020-04-23
journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa225
sha: 6c39310c88239243055a38f399ddf3d5717117e3
doc_id: 801875
cord_uid: 80p2xi4e

nan

M a n u s c r i p t 2 To the Editor While the country and world engage the pandemic of novel corona virus disease 2019 or Severe Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it remains vital for our healthcare system to continue caring for all patients while mitigating their exposure to potential sources of infection. I read, with great appreciation, Kaiser, et al's editorial "Our Response to COVID-19 as Endocrinologists and Diabetologists (1)" highlighting important aspects of medicine our specialty will provide noteworthy impact. I would like to add that our embrace of telemedicine provides the ability to safely care for those patients with adrenal disease or on chronic steroid therapy, hypothalamic-pituitary disease and the spectrum of diabetes mellitus (DM). For our whole healthcare system to take advantage of technology which allows the safe practice of medicine while in a full state of emergency, some restrictions to using telehealth have been lifted. This is an imperative transition incorporating more telemedicine which has been desired for some time, but broad utilization has been hindered due to a variety of regulatory and reimbursement barriers (4).

Endocrinologists have been at the forefront of telemedicine advocation and perhaps a silver lining coming out of this pandemic is proving the capabilities to provide high quality care for A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 3 many patients who do not physically need to be seen in a clinician's office or even rounded upon in person while hospitalized. Many patients who require endocrinology care have special considerations regarding their increased risk of morbidity and mortality should they become afflicted with covid-19 such as those with any type of adrenal insufficiency or other condition requiring long-term glucocorticoids, hypothalamic-pituitary disorders and certainly the spectrum of diabetes mellitus (5) . Endocrinologists and diabetologists are in a unique position to provide consultation or direct care to patients via telemedicine using provided history, data-mining the chart, lab or radiology data and diabetes technology (6) . Comprehensive diabetes care clinics can upload data from glucose meters or preferably continuous glucose monitors, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion devices (insulin pumps) or other mobile health applications while providing virtual "dynamic diabetology" care and counseling from physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, registered dieticians and diabetes educators.

Continued progress in advancing telehealth capabilities and integration into our health-care system provides opportunity to broaden and improve patient access to care. Endocrinologists and diabetologists have the potential to be leaders in this advanced patient-centered model of care proving that we can provide optimal treatment accompanied by patient satisfaction.

Our Response to COVID-19 as Endocrinologists and Diabetologists

Covid-19 and Health Care's Digital Revolution

Virtually Perfect? Telemedicine for Covid-19

Our Response to COVID-19 as Endocrinologists and Diabetologists

Diabetes Technology: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2020