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The majority of articles published on COVID-19 describe all the post-test ramifications of having the COVID-19 illness. Why has no one discussed the pre-COVID-19 result process? The stress and anxiety of our population prior to learning their COVID-19 diagnosis has somewhat been forgotten. We talk about the future rather than the moment. Our populations are fragile. We need to better focus some efforts on consoling the individual at time of test inquiry and test collection. We have the patient in front of us - a golden opportunity to demonstrate care and compassion. As healthcare providers, our patients see us as lifelines for testing and information about the disease. Let us not forget that they are nervous, anxious and scared. Many have poor physical and mental health. A COVID-19 diagnosis will only push them deeper into psychological despair. They want someone to talk to, someone to hear them, and someone to say it will be ok. Let us not forget the human before the COVID-19 test result appears. Our populations need us now.
Compassion during test collection
Dear Editor,
The majority of articles published on COVID-19 describe all the post-test ramifications of having the COVID-19 illness. Why has no one discussed the pre-COVID-19 result process? The stress and anxiety of our population prior to learning their COVID-19 diagnosis has somewhat been forgotten. We talk about the future rather than the moment. Our populations are fragile. We need to better focus some efforts on consoling the individual at time of test inquiry and test collection. We have the patient in front of us - a golden opportunity to demonstrate care and compassion. As healthcare providers, our patients see us as lifelines for testing and information about the disease. Let us not forget that they are nervous, anxious and scared. Many have poor physical and mental health. A COVID-19 diagnosis will only push them deeper into psychological despair. They want someone to talk to, someone to hear them, and someone to say it will be ok. Let us not forget the human before the COVID-19 test result appears. Our populations need us now.
KH
Competing interests: No competing interests