What I Learned About Change From Practicing During the COVID-19 Surge: JCOM

Abstract

Without needing to be told, educated, or incentivized, my tirst night as a COVID doctor found me calling every single patient's family upon admission, regardless of what time it was. It was critical to review the diagnosis, transparently discuss the uncertainty regarding the upcoming hours and days, review the potential contingencies, and ask. right there and then, whether intubation is consistent with goals of care. It was that urgent and relevant. Without exception, families were grateful for the effort and candor. The significance of this practice undoubtedly adopted by every inpatient provider who has worked a COVID surge is rooted in decades of academic deliberation on which is the right" doctor to have these discussions. None of that mattered. Historical opinions changed due to what was urgent and relevant given the situation at hand and the job we had to do."