Pandemic turns the world upside down. People have no choice but to change their daily practices and modify their lives accordingly. The ordinary things do not seem acceptable anymore, and suddenly new stuff becomes a norm and replace older techniques. Some people readily accept the change and alter their lifestyles. In contrast, others take time to accept a significant shift. Still, a pandemic leaves no one behind, and everyone has to get by with the new situation. Health is indeed the most crucial factor in life. When the whole world’s health is at risk, governments come into action and pass out unfamiliar rules. People are to face the consequences of showing negligence. All the working sector affects because of the pandemic. They have to introduce new regulations and carry out activities in a different way. The healthcare industry stresses out the most, as there is a sudden increase in patients. Uncertainty of the situation makes it impractical for people to predict anything. Often, experts are unable to forecast anything regarding the pandemic.
Healthcare workers put themselves at the backend and provide their services to the patients. They have to put in long days and nights while exposing themselves to danger day in and day out. Health practitioners’ role becomes exceptionally challenging. They have to provide care to sick people and keep themselves and their loved ones secure. The COVID-19 epidemic has brought a drastic change worldwide. From large enterprises to small companies, every business has to modify its’ practices.
On the other hand, healthcare systems have exhausted themselves worldwide, and they are struggling hard to deal with patients’ inflow. Experts are still working on a vaccine. They say that the virus does not have any other cure. People have no choice but to adhere to social distancing, sanitization, and frequent washing hands.
The healthcare sector is growing day by day, and an increasing number of students are taking an interest in this field. Those who want master’s degrees in this field can search online about what is an MPH, and they find plenty of information there. The degree equips students with tools and skills which they need for combatting epidemic situation. The part public healthcare practitioners play is vital, and with the severity of the epidemic, it becomes more challenging. Below we are giving a comprehensive insight into the role of public health practitioners during the pandemic:
- RAISE AWARENESS
Several departments and media raise awareness about the seriousness of the epidemic. Still, when it comes directly from health practitioners, people take it seriously. The public holds healthcare workers in high regard. They know that most of what health practitioners suggest goes in their favor, so they adhere to their suggestions. During a pandemic, health practitioners’ role is to make people in their surroundings aware of the special procedures and the consequences that their negligences can bring. Health practitioners should not limit their awareness drive only to their professional settings. They should extend it to informal ones as well.
- BE A ROLE MODEL
The health practitioners serve as a role model during these unfortunate times, and people follow their examples. Public health practitioners need to follow correct standard operation procedures, SOPs religiously, so that regular people also keep in their footsteps. Hospitals are a sensitive place, and people are more exposed to threat there than in other places. When people visit hospitals, they keenly observe health practitioners and see them as a role model.
- KEEPING THE SPIRITS HIGH
Pandemic is serious, and when it occurs, common people whose source of the knowledge is news fill them with stress. Health practitioners are the ones who can boost the morale up of the community and keep the spirits high. Staying united is the only solution, and when people are together, they can combat the circumstances very well. Health practitioners know the epidemic situation better than others. They can motivate people to do their part and stay positive. Staying positive in unfortunate situations solves more than half of the issues and gives energy and strength to fight.
- STAY ABREAST WITH LATEST HAPPENINGS
The pandemic situation continues to evolve daily, and an increase or decrease in cases changes the situation. Health practitioners need to stay abreast with the latest happenings to update people in their surroundings accordingly. Besides, staying updated with the latest occurrences of the epidemic help in setting a plan for the future, as you get an idea of your method was effective or not. You can twist your strategies and think of new techniques of having some semblance of normalcy. Health practitioners are the source of information for other people, and they contact health practitioners to update their knowledge.
- MAINTAINING HYGIENE
Maintaining hygiene is crucial in all kinds of situations, but during a pandemic, it becomes essential. Health practitioners understand the importance of hygiene. They know that unhygienic surfaces and places can multiply the patients and spread the germs. Sanitizing surfaces frequently may seem like a hurdle and added trouble, but it helps spread diseases. Health experts suggest that when people start taking care of their hygiene and make sure that their immediate surroundings are clean, they limit the spread. It helps in keeping them safe from the disease. Moreover, hygiene helps fight against contagious diseases. Still, cleanliness is also an essential aspect, and it influences one’s emotional, mental, and social health.
- EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Health practitioners should have efficient communication skills and a robust communication system amongst themselves. There should not be an obstacle to the flow of communication. They need to send several messages back and forth every day, and glitches in a communication system can cause many problems. Organizations should make use of advanced technology and have a system in place, which ensures seamless communication. They should know how to give vital information precisely and leave the details out. Many times, health practitioners need to speak to other doctors about patients’ conditions immediately, and delay in their communication can lead to severe health issues. Pandemic is not a normal situation, and due to its nature of an emergency, communication becomes essential. Health practitioners’ communication skills help in normalizing the situation.
CONCLUSION
Health practitioners’ role is vital in society as they work for the betterment and make sure that people in need receive adequate care. During unfortunate times of pandemic, their responsibility increases, and their already difficult job becomes more challenging. Health practitioners play a vital role in bringing ease in miserable times. When they stay hopeful and educate others, the public also feels ready to fight the epidemic.