International practitioners share their COVID-19 perspectives

Photo Cred: Immortal Shots/Pexels

By Carolina Brooks, BA, IFMCP

As countries take different approaches to addressing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, practitioners around the world have had different experiences treating their patients, pivoting their practices, and coping on a personal level.

We spoke with a few of our integrative colleagues to discuss their observations as well as find out what sort of restrictions are in place and how the circumstances have challenged them both professionally and personally.

Maria, Mpharm, MGphC

Pharmacist and Clinical Phytotherapist at Fitoterapia Clinica Holistica
Andalucia, Spain

“My role is a pharmacist in the community pharmacy. I research everything first, and act with caution. I have not treated anyone diagnosed with [COVID-19] but it’s clear to me that treating oxidative stress is fundamental.

This has been a challenging time, not only in understanding how the virus works, but how we can prevent and treat it, and protect ourselves and others. Some of us are also finding staying mentally healthy during confinement, fighting against fear of a huge global mortality rate and an economic crisis, extremely challenging.

Members of my family have suffered [COVID-19]. They are now out of hospital. I have been in confinement for over a month now, and in Spain, if you go out for any reason other than getting food or going to the pharmacy, there is a penalty.

When I learned the virus did such serious damage to the lungs, I immediately realized that herbal medicine could have significant impact in the early stages and for prevention.”

Fiona Brenninkmeijer MSc, IFMCP

Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

“I am currently in the process of moving clinics and waiting for a new license to come through. The clinic is closed, as [our business] is deemed non-essential healthcare, however I am still supporting previous patients via email and have been doing telephone consultations. I am not currently seeing COVID-19 patients.

We have a round-the-clock lockdown and need to apply for permission to leave the house online. We will only be granted permission a maximum of once every three days to go grocery shopping or visit a pharmacy. We have to say exactly where we are going and [how long] for each outing. There is a fine for not adhering to this.

When we leave the house, we must wear gloves and a face mask. When we enter a supermarket, a security guard takes your temperature to check for fever. If your temperature is normal, you can go shopping.

With regards to healthcare, as I understand anything deemed non-essential has stopped, including dental work and all the aesthetic medical procedures. All primary care physicians are seeing people remotely and assessing if patients may need to be seen in person. If we need to seek medical attention for whatever reason, we need to request permission.

We are being kept informed by the authorities to a certain extent. I think the main challenges are supporting the mass workforce that live in dormitories, often eight people to a room, so the virus can spread rather rapidly in those environments. A relatively small part of the population is over sixty years old. The general population here is younger on average, as it is not possible to live here as a non-national unless you are employed or sponsored by your employee.

The Middle East’s local population has a big problem with obesity and diabetes, and this is our main challenge. COVID-19 drive-through testing centers have been set up and anyone with a comorbidity, such as hypertension or diabetes, can be tested without charge. Others can pay to be tested, which I believe costs approximately $60 to $75.

To use this time to my benefit, I have signed up for a sports nutrition course and fast-tracking to get through the material sooner, and am doing lots of virtual training. I miss being able to go outside and worried about my family and not being able to visit them until there is a vaccine. I am trying to stay positive as getting stressed will only depress my immune system. I am probably eating better than ever as I am stuck at home. I feel very lucky, and I have to believe some great positives will come from this pandemic—not just a reduction in global warming, but that people are reflecting on what is important to them. I think we will see more patients keen to work on optimizing their health.”

Wafaa Abdel-Hadi, MD, IFMCP

Clinical Oncologist, Cairo University
Giza, Egypt

“My clinic is geared around prevention rather than treatment of acute illness, so my main role is awareness on how to support immune function, what foods to eat, what supplements are useful, and what precautions to take should a family member test positive for the virus.

I get phone calls from patients who suspect they have contracted [COVID-19], so I check their symptoms and instruct them on which blood tests or scans are appropriate. I advise them to get a pulse oximeter and to monitor their oxygen saturation. If that drops below ninety percent, I advise them to go to hospital.

In Egypt, the government have applied a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and we are practicing social distancing, at least in urban areas. We are keeping children at home using virtual classrooms and most jobs have moved online. I have shifted my work online but my husband who is a neurosurgeon still goes to clinic and perform emergency surgeries only. Non-urgent procedures have been postponed until the situation stabilizes.

I have seen different reactions from the community here when it comes to COVID-19. The elderly are very pessimistic and afraid since news outlets and social media keep reiterating the vulnerability of the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions. Others are stressed about the possibility of famine. I am trying to spread comforting messages through social media. On a personal level, my family are being cautious, following hygiene procedures, although we try and avoid excessive use of alcohol to avoid disrupting the microbiome. We only buy what we need and go out only when necessary. I have taught my kids to meditate, we exercise as a family, and do activities together. It is a bit nerve-wracking, not knowing what the future holds, but we have faith.”

Sarah, BSN, BSc

National Health Service Nurse & Herbalist
United Kingdom

“I work in telephone triage and have not been given the option of working from home, as those with underlying health issues have been given priority.  We have had to adapt very quickly to respond to COVID-19, but we were well supported within the national health service to do this and have worked closely with wider healthcare provision.

We have stringent social distancing measures at work which are being adhered to. I am lucky, in that I work part-time, and I live in a sparsely populated area.

I manage my own stress by eating well, walking my dogs and I have a daily yoga and spiritual practice. It has been difficult not spending time with family members, and I am worried about them getting sick and me not being able to support them. I tend to keep my nursing work and herbal practice separate, but they inform each other on a day to day basis, and I feel I have a good balance in how I manage this. This pandemic has given me ideas around how to develop my herbal practice towards more nature-based events to encourage individuals to feel that connection with nature.”

Editor’s note: Click here for more information and ongoing COVID-19 updates for integrative healthcare professionals.