A Personalized Approach to Healthcare During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed every aspect of our lives including introducing new challenges in accessing healthcare services. Due to the challenges presented, primary care physicians have had to utilize telemedicine services more over the last three years than previously. Although this was instrumental in moving forward with essential healthcare access at the time of the pandemic, it is crucial that we get back to basics and see patients in the office setting.

Telehealth services have proven to be effective for a wide range of primary care needs. Patients can consult with their doctors about acute illnesses, chronic conditions, mental health issues, and more. Doctors can also use telehealth services to follow up with patients after in-person visits, ensuring continuity of care.

The benefits of telehealth services are numerous, but they are not without their challenges. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that patients have access to the necessary technology. Not all patients have reliable internet access or the equipment needed to use telehealth services. This can create a barrier to care for some patients, especially those who are elderly, disabled, or low-income.

Another challenge is maintaining the same level of quality of care as in-person visits. Telehealth services rely heavily on communication, and doctors must be able to communicate effectively with their patients to diagnose and treat their conditions. Doctors must also be able to manage the technology and ensure that the patient’s privacy and confidentiality are protected.

Despite these challenges, telehealth services have become a vital tool for primary care doctors during the pandemic. They have enabled doctors to continue providing care to their patients while minimizing the risk of exposure to contagious illnesses.

However, the pandemic has also created stress and anxiety in the healthcare world. Healthcare providers have been working tirelessly to care for COVID-19 patients, putting their own health and safety at risk. They have also been dealing with unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout.

The pandemic has underscored the need for a more equitable healthcare system that ensures that everyone has access to high-quality care, regardless of their income or race. It has also highlighted the importance of investing in public health infrastructure, including telemedicine services, to ensure that we are prepared for future public health emergencies.

In person, physical exams provide a number of benefits that may not be available with telemedicine and are an important part of quality. Without a physical exam important signs and symptoms of illness may be missed. Although we prefer in office, face to face evaluations, we understand the limitation of access to health care in the community and will continue to provide telehealth services when needed.

The entire premise and growth of telemedicine is a consequence of “damage control”. This is entirely based on reactive medicine. Good healthcare is based on preventive medicine and risk mediation, ie: managing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and various other chronic issues that is deeply impacted by lifestyle modification and appropriate screening. We know that when chronic health issues are not prevented or treated, the patient is more susceptible to acute illnesses.

Here at Axel Health Primary Care our physicians are aspiring to be compassionate partners in a patient’s health and well-being. This faith in a physician can only be achieved over time and with understanding of the patient’s environment and healthcare needs.

Daniel Stanciu, MD
Dr. Stanciu is certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Physician Specialties as well as the American Board of Internal Medicine and has been practicing medicine since 2003. Dr. Stanciu earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timisoara, Romaina. He completed his resident training in internal medicine at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn New York.

Prior to coming to Axel Health Primary Care, Dr. Stanciu practiced as an internal medicine hospitalist. He is passionate about providing comprehensive, holistic, integrative care. By providing concierge services, Dr. Stanciu has the opportunity to spend an unlimited amount of time with each client to ensure an individualized plan of care that meets each clients’ healthcare goals. He is currently working on his functional medicine certification. Dr. Stanciu enjoys educating each client regarding the best approach to health screenings, risk assessments, early treatment, and appropriate interventions. In his free time, Dr. Stanciu is athletic and enjoys multiple sports and spending time with his family.

Joel Pelissier, MD
Dr. Pelissier is certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and has been practicing medicine since 1996. Dr. Pelissier completed his residency training at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. He also had the opportunity to study abroad receiving further training in France and Spain. He has been providing medical services to the Fort Myers Community for over 10 years and is passionate about providing comprehensive, integrative care and working with patients to ensure they obtain their healthcare goals. Dr. Pelissier is also a Certified Medical Examiner for the Department of Transportation (DOT).  He is passionate about medical education and is a board review question writer for the Society of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Pelissier is fluent in Haitian Creole, French, English, and Spanish. He is also conversational in Portuguese. In his free time Dr. Pelissier enjoys spending time with his daughter, his family, exercising, and reading.

Axel Health
239-208-6648 | axelhealth.org

4755 Summerlin Road, Suite 8
Fort Myers, FL 33919