AUTHOR=Amin Shefali , Chin Justin , Terrell Mark A. , Lomiguen Christine M. TITLE=Addressing Challenges in Humanistic Communication During COVID-19 Through Medical Education JOURNAL=Frontiers in Communication VOLUME=6 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2021.619348 DOI=10.3389/fcomm.2021.619348 ISSN=2297-900X ABSTRACT=

The current global pandemic due to COVID-19 has resulted in widespread lockdowns, social distancing, and other protective guidelines; these infectious control and mitigation measures challenge the medical system and create anxiety among all populations. In hospitals and healthcare facilities, patient interaction and shared decision making are sacrificed for fear of COVID-19 nosocomial spread. The intangible effects of human interaction with COVID-19 patients, whether of a physician or a patient’s family, are replaced with isolation amid ventilators. Medical professionals must find a way to practice life-saving medical care while maintaining humanistic and professional interactions. This article provides insight into the necessity and challenges of humanistic communication during COVID-19 across various institutions and offers both short- and long-term solutions and reforms through medical education.