The Need for a Paradigm Shift to Person-Centered Medicine during Pandemic Times

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has completely changed how the world looks at medicine. Unfortunately, the larger focus has been on the physical health only – epidemiology, clinical features, prevention of transmission, and management and there is very little focus on mental health and stigmatization. The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused universal psychosocial impact by causing emotional disturbances, economic burden, and financial losses on a massive scale. Effects such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and insomnia in the post infection period have been reported among COVID-19 survivors. With disease progression, clinical symptoms become severe and infected patients may develop psychological problems. With exponential growth in the number of daily COVID-19 cases since March, 2021, India reported more than 400,000 new cases daily on May 1, 2021. India's COVID-19 surge could have become a regional disaster impacting all of south Asia. However, India has successfully avoided that disaster by strengthening the surveillance systems, imposing travel restrictions, lockdowns, and mandatory travel quarantine for individuals returning from infected areas. These were necessary to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The situation in India required urgent, bold measures and close cooperation between India and the global community. Currently, free vaccinations for the whole population are being given. With 1.4 billion people, this is going to be a massive effort. The pandemic and the aftermath need a paradigm shift from our traditional medical care models to one that is person centered. A person-centered model of care will be best solution here and all across the world. This is especially so, when we are fighting a disastrous pandemic.