America is about to wind back the clock on all kinds of healthcare, not just reproductive healthcare. What are people's thoughts and plans to help our patients through these next 4+ years?
America is about to wind back the clock on all kinds of healthcare, not just reproductive healthcare. What are people's thoughts and plans to help our patients through these next 4+ years?
I'm still a medical student, but I'm about to start planning out my 4th year, and I'm hoping to structure my electives to get the best education I can to help as many people as possible. I'm also planning on moonlighting somewhere like Planned Parenthood while I'm in residency to do a bit more in the way of direct assistance. (I'm pretty sure my state is just blue enough that PP will continue to exist in some capacity.)
In general it’s terrifying, we will need to be especially kind, helpful, and understanding to patients who risk losing disability benefits and similar through cuts. I don’t know how much we’ll be able to trust federal research either. I’m not too familiar with how the NIH etc is structured so I’m not sure how much RFK and Trump will be able to change things.
In my field I’m worried about a complete federal erasure of Long COVID, banishing it without funding and expertise in a sort of semi-recognised void. Clearly the incoming government does not want to acknowledge any negatives of COVID at all, and I’m worried it will lead to much suffering.
I've been largely focused on the impacts of queer and women's healthcare, but you bring up a very good point regarding COVID sequelae. We might just have to get creative about diagnostic terminology to continue treating our patients.
Challenge the darkness. Move toward the light of science. Do not be afraid of the truth.