How to address fear: A patient’s perspective of seeking care during COVID-19
This article is a narrative of one patient’s experience during COVID-19. As a non-COVID patient, she shares her personal fears, the fears of others in her family and the fears of the healthcare professionals. These fears have made navigating the healthcare systems stressful for patients but also caused patients to avoid them completely. In some cases, this avoidance led to delayed diagnosis, missed diagnosis and death. When healthcare providers guide patients through the process of seeking in-person healthcare, the outcomes were more positive for everyone involved but especially for the patients and their care partners. The patient’s voice is needed to help healthcare professionals understand their fears and how to provide the best healthcare for all.
Related content
-
Patient Family & Community EngagementPX Chat on PFA/PFACS: Sustaining/Growing (December 3, 2025)
12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT – Join The Beryl Institute community for an opportunity to connect with your peers on the support and resources needed to address efforts around sustaining and growing PFAs and PFACs in their organizations. Breakout discussion groups allow you to share your challenges, celebrate your
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community EngagementMy Life, My Story and Life Recovery among Veterans with Substance Use Problems
The United States Veterans Health Administration My Life, My Story (MLMS) program is a patient-centered care intervention where veterans are interviewed about their life story and may grant permission to include it in their electronic health record (EHR). Our purpose was to focus on a sample of MLMS narratives from veterans with self-disclosed substance use
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community EngagementEngaging Children and Youth in Healthcare: A Developmental Approach
2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT – Current efforts to engage children and youth in hospital care lack a formal framework and engagement programs often rely solely on caregivers and guardians as proxies, overlooking their direct input. This presentation emphasizes the importance of involving children and youth directly in healthcare
Learn more
Ask questions, share insights and connect with other experience leaders.
PX ConnectBecome a member for access to this resource and more:
- Live and On-demand Webinars and Connection Calls
- PX Papers, Case Studies and Research Reports
- PX Connect Online Community
- Discounts on Learning Programs and Events
Become a member for access to this resource and more:
- Live and On-demand Webinars and Connection Calls
- PX Papers, Case Studies and Research Reports
- PX Connect Online Community
- Discounts on Learning Programs and Events
How to address fear: A patient's perspective of seeking care during COVID-19
Access Now