Reporting from the front lines: Revenue under fire, staffing cut and, yes, toilet paper stolen

Why This Topic Matters

The piece captures real-world operational and financial impacts of the pandemic on outpatient medicine and shows how practices adapted care delivery, scheduling, staffing, and patient screening during a period of major disruption.

Article Sections

1. COVID-19 perspectives #1: Jeffrey Gelblum, M.D., neurologist, First Choice Neurology, Miami, Fla.

   A neurology practice perspective on the shift to virtual visits, reduced in-office contact, and changes to patient interaction during the pandemic.

2. COVID-19 perspectives #2: Nicholas Jones, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Lexington Plastic Surgeons in Atlanta, Ga.

   A plastic surgery practice perspective on staffing reductions, lower patient traffic, postponed care, telemedicine use, and operational planning during the public health emergency.

3. COVID-19 perspectives #3: Benjamin Ticho, M.D., ophthalmologist with Ticho Eye Associates, Chicago Ridge, Ill.

   An ophthalmology practice perspective on deferred procedures, office screening measures, reduced volume, and the challenges of maintaining practice stability.

4. COVID-19 perspectives #4: Thalia Baker, associate vice president of primary care at UAB Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

   A large health system primary care perspective on virtual care expansion, drive-through testing, triage workflows, exposure prevention, and supply constraints.