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The medical community at large is now faced with a new dimension of medicine they have never encountered. As this health crisis that is ever changing, they find themselves with greater challenges than they have ever imagined. Due to shortages on PPE and expecting greater needs for it, and with the unknown factors of what the coming months may unfold. For independent practices it poses even more obstacles as they do not have the infrastructure of the larger hospitals or a group practice might have. Such is the case of a small town doctor that has chosen a different path of medicine from her start in Olney, Illinois.

Since Dr. Jill Scherer's practice began, some might think her model is unorthodox as she chose not to bill insurance, but operates on a direct billing system instead. Dr. Scherer reports The monthly membership fee has worked well and has been well received. Patients who cannot afford insurance can at least be offered primary care services. Other patients with stellar insurance love that their appointments are on time, for however much time they need, and they have access to their provider. My practice was full within 8 months, so I would say the community.

Scherers innovative thinking brought forth a creative solution to the lack of PPE availability presently. Seeing the medical community using some old phone booth looking devices where the individual was swabbing in the booth and sticking only their arms out to swab the person gave her some insight. It also gave the problem that came from the test itself, as it goes deep into the nasal passage which can cause a reflux reaction, then can trigger a response that can cause risk. Henceforth the tent came up outside her clinic and her brainchild came to life. She gave the basic explanation as such. Notoriously they sneeze or cough, so the plexiglass provides excellent protection. My husband, and engineer, decided, why not make a testing site through the window in my exam room. That way, the patient is outside and I am inside with the barrier of plexiglass. There is a stethoscope and giant rubber gloves that protrude from the plexiglass to examine the patient from the plexiglass to exam the patient with. I can swab a patient and be shielded. Then everything is sanitized with bleach before the next patient. Her ingenuity saves on the precious commodity of PPE, and she can judiciously screen her patients she shared. If needed, patients can still enter the clinic, and proper disinfection is provided. She has used the method of patients if needed remaining in their car as well on occasions.

When asking Dr. Scherer how our local community at large is doing in regards to the recommendations the CDC has given to COVID-19, shared these thoughts in regards to reaching a better outcome. I think we need to really take the shelter in place order seriously. Grocery shop once every 2 weeks. We need to wash our hands diligently. We need to not meet up with friends or have play dates. We are a small community and we dont want to be a hot spot for the virus. While it might not seem as scary because we are not Chicago or New York, we still need to be diligent and adhere to the social distancing, shelter in place, washing hands.

The CDC and other health officials have made recommendations in terms of wearing masks for the general public, Dr. Scherer gave these thoughts in relation to these coming guidelines as well As for fabric masks, I think we will see a change in the recommendations from health officials. Much of Asia uses masks and have much lower transmission than use.

Now we do not have enough commercial grade masks for the healthcare workers let alone enough for the general population, so I do think that cotton masks will be beneficial. As of now, any tightly woven cotton or polyblend cotton will be enough. These masks will prevent the wearer from spreading his/her own germs. It doesnt necessarily protect the wearer from getting the virus, but it does make the wearer conscious of how many times they touch their face. If the wearer coughs and sneezes, it does help prevent the respiratory droplets from being expelled into the air.

As there have been various statements in regards to use of Ibuprofen during this health crisis, and the use of it, in the course of the interview Dr. Scherer her thoughts. Her recommendations were as follows. I have not read any solid data on no ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, but I know that the general recommendation is to not use them if you have fever, coughing, cold symptoms. Stick with acetaminophen. If you are on daily NSAIDs, you should call your doctor for specific recommendations regarding stopping or when to stop

As Dr. Scherer incorporates some holistic approaches to what might she suggest or preventive measures, she gave these insights. Eating a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables will promote the best immune function. Thirty minutes of daily exercise as a minimum. Getting adequate sleep, 7-8 hours per night. Shutting off social media and the news for several hours per day to decrease stress level might also help.

In terms of mental health in general terms these suggestions during these stressful times, she gave some excellent helpful tips that all ages can incorporate to aid in the balance as we are all trying to find a new normal. Find a way, while respecting social distancing, to do something nice for someone else. Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help calm anxious nerves. We know that exercise can be as powerful as antidepressants for anxiety and depression, get out and exercise. Sunshine, when it peaks out of the clouds, can also help with our mood.

Her practice is like many all across the country that are finding new ways to treat their patients. She had already used telemedicine as an option, due to not billing insurance prior to COVID. Her patients are able to call, text, or have video chats routinely as well. She routinely has three platforms she is able to utilize, so if one is not working well, she can use another one that works better for that particular patient.

As COVID-19, is only one area of health concerns for our community, I asked this very down to earth and caring physician how she thought our area could improve the total well being in general. She gave some great input. I stress in my practice, the need for lifestyle medicine. We should be using diet, nutrition, stress management, good sleep to help combat our leading causes of death like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. My advice is not always welcomed, but at least patients know they have a choice in their health outcomes for a majority of diseases.

When asked for her best advice for our area in terms of addressing this ever changing and concerning health crisis upon us she shared these final insights. My goal right now is to take the best care of my patients especially during COVID19 because the rest of health conditions didnt take a break when COVID-19 got here. There are still ear infections, heart attacks, etc. So my immediate goal is to provide excellent care even with the pandemic. My long term goals

are put on hold right now, I will be patient and see how things are in 6-9 months. I think people should know that I am a small business owner trying to provide the best in a strange situation. I want to protect myself and my patients. I dont want to be a super spreader of COVID-19, and that is why I have changed the way I see people. Yes, their visit will be on the phone, then in the parking lot. Only if truly needed will it be in person and at that time, I will look like I have hazmat gear on. I might look a little nutty, but I want to be alive to care for my patients, I dont want to bring COVID-19 home to my family, and I dont want to spread it to my patients. Direct primary care, membership medicine, allows me to be flexible and keep everyone as safe as possible.

Scherer grew up in Streamwood, Illinois, and attended the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. After completing her bachelor's of science in Biology, she earned her Doctor of Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She completed her training at the Waukesha Family Medicine Residency in Waukesha, Wisconsin, specializing in Family Practice. Dr. Scherer most recently practiced at the Richland Medical Center in Richland Center, Wisconsin, providing general family practice, obstetrical care, inpatient hospital care, and urgent care. Her areas of interest are preventative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and lactation/breastfeeding medicine. Her continuing education focuses on lifestyle medicine and she will have board certification in it by fall 2018. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, IBCLC.

Dr. Scherer and her husband, Mark, recently moved to Olney, Illinois to be closer to his family as they raise their two children. She is thrilled to be practicing in the community and helping to improve the lives of her patients.

It was a rare and refreshing experience, to meet a physician who is dedicated completely to the calling of medicine in its truest sense. She is indeed a great asset to our community. She is accepting patients and can be reached at 618-746-2676 her practice, Whole Family Health Medical Clinic is at 131 Boone St. in Olney, Illinois. The clinic has a facebook page, might note Dr. Scherer, has routine posts on COVID-19 with current updates for the community as well.

Read the rest here:
Small town Doctor...finds solutions to the big issues - Pontiac Daily Leader

This entry was posted on April 7, 2020 at 9:42 pm and is filed under Preventative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |