Weeks into mandated social isolation, with curves beginning to show signs of flattening, many agencies in the United States are beginning to turn their focus from response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to recovery from the crisis.  Healthcare providers face some of the largest challenges: how do they re-engage with patients whom, in many cases, they have not had contact with for weeks? In an environment that has been pushing to reduce the total number of hospital beds in the US, how do providers plan for future capacity? What adjustments need to be made to staffing models in the face of an anticipated surge in encounters?  As hospitals transition from acute care to substantial chronic-care services, how do providers address the public’s concerns about going out in public and interacting with caregivers and fellow patients in a clinical environment? What programs need to be implemented to address the anxiety and depression that may have resulted from extended social isolation? How will lingering economic factors affect the way patients seek care?

These are just some of the questions that are beginning to cross my mind as we set our sights on recovery. As we focus on returning to a normal state, we need to consider not only economic issues, but physical and mental wellness, spiritual wellness, and social wellness, as well.

Have your organizations begun to evaluate and implement recovery plans? What issues are you focused on and what are your objectives? Feel free to share in the comments.