Newsletter from Dr. Amy
/ My Friends!,
"Are you safe? Are you sound? Are you whole? Are you well?" That's what I want to ask you. Horton first asked it that way a long time ago, and they are the words that occur now.
I have had the pleasure of catching up with many of you in recent days thanks to video conferencing technology, and for this I am ever so grateful. There is a special kind of trauma for a doctor in this distance that has grown so swiftly between people. The feeling of losing continuity in the medical journeys we've been on together, you and I, leaves me feeling somewhat stranded personally as well as professionally.
So here is Dr Amy's fighting back against isolation newsletter, in which you can learn how to easily consult with me via telemedicine, and find some thoughts on currently available antibody tests for corona virus!
I plan to do this again too, so watch out.
Telemedicine Office Visits
Let's talk about how to schedule a teleconference with me, because I want to see you, my patients! Teleconferencing can keep us on track; in management of chronic problems as well as new concerns that inevitably arise, even in a pandemic, and for all of those who look to a holistic medical approach to maximize personal health and wellness in any era. And telemedicine is clearly, for the moment anyway, the way forward with much of what we do. Therefore, a short discourse on the subject of how to teleconference with Dr. Amy follows. Note that the appointment process is streamlined relative to what we've done in the past.
Here's everything you need to know to schedule a telemedicine appointment:
1. Option #1: Call me directly to schedule. #971-808-3507
2. Option #2: Text me directly to schedule. #971-808-3507
3. Option #3: Schedule on my website with the scheduling tool
Don't use the Athena medical record portal - it is not enabled to schedule. The portal is where you can send prescription renewal requests, message about personal health issues, and view treatment plans and lab results. You can request an appointment there, but you can't schedule one.
On the morning of your scheduled appointment you'll receive a clickable link by email from doxy.me that will take you to a virtual waiting room where you and I can connect for our visit. If you can click a link in an email, you can do this!
All of my office visits will take place by telemedicine in this way for the time being, for all our sakes.
Novel Corona virus testing
Many of you have asked me about antibody testing for the novel corona virus. We are all impatient for reliable and generally available antibody testing for the corona virus. These would be tests we could all have which would determine who has already been exposed to the virus (and therefore may possess a measure of immunity, at least in the short term), and who has not been exposed. That testing is not here yet.
Though numerous tests are newly available and being promoted to doctors (including yours truly) by their makers as reliable, early findings are that the current crop of tests have low sensitivity. That means they are too likely to report negative results in the face of a positive sample, one containing antibodies to the virus. False negative rates may be as high as 30% with these tests. That's too high to be very useful. And false positives are also being reported with some frequency.
While makers of these tests report that the tests are reliable in their own testing, there is speculation that these products may not be shelf-stable, so to speak, and may tend to degrade between manufacture and time of test use, resulting in unreliable tests.
Serious concerns about the negative consequences of unreliable corona virus tests include the potential for instilling a false sense of confidence in one's status.
Because of these concerns I am not recommending at this time testing for antibodies to COVID-19 using the current generation of widely available test kits. When I can offer you a good test, I'll be doing just that.
Various and Sundry:
You need to know that insurance companies have loosened rules governing payment for telemedicine services, and most companies are paying for visits, even initial patient appointments, at this time. I offer a cash discount price for folks who are either uninsured or whose plans do not cover my care.
Need refills on your herbal tinctures and supplements? I can ship your items via the US Post, and can offer free delivery in SE Portland.
Friends, know that I am here for you, that you are in my thoughts, and that we can work together to support your vitality and resilience, and to nurture the life force in you using all the tools in the amazing naturopathic tool kit.
Be well,
Dr Amy Johnson, N.D.