Interview witH Doctor Goyal
Richa goyal, md
She/Her/Hers
Ethnicity: Indian American
Occupation: Family Physician
Location: Santa Clara, California
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"Put your energy into something constructive. Don't think of when it's going to be over because only time will tell. But in the meantime, keep yourself busy."
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July 22, 2020, 3:00 PM PDT
By Neeraja Beesetti
Interview Highlights
Beesetti: How have hospitals adapted in regards to changes caused by COVID-19?
[00:00:00] Goyal: The hospitals want to take care of patients and they want to make sure when someone needs help, they get help they need. But at the same time, they don't want a lot of people coming in because more people that come in, more risk of exposure. [00:00:17] Right? So the way they try to limit that is they first screen patients using video visits, telephone appointments, and then see if they need to be seen or if it's something that can be done over the phone or via video. And if it can be taken care on one of those aspects, then you know, then we're fine. [00:00:36] And if they need to be seen, then we schedule an office appointment. Then, regarding labs, we're making lab appointments so that, you know, they're not, people are not waiting in lines and, you know, in crowds. [...] I work in the outpatient setting, but I think even in the emergency room, I think they really, [00:01:00] um, I think in March and April, they had a tent outside as well, because there were so many patients coming in and they were- it's never a perfect system- but they're trying to see patients as quickly as they can and, you know, avoiding crowds.
How is testing for COVID-19 being carried out at your hospital?
[00:00:00] Goyal: Testing, it keeps changing, but mainly it's always done in a drive-through, and you have to have a doctor's order. So the doctor has to order the lab for you and then it has to be scheduled. So you can't just walk in and get a test, but you have to basically go in, you have to talk to the doctor, get the test ordered. [00:00:23] And then they give you an appointment and then you can go and get it tested. But the guidelines keep changing because as you know, there's a lot of [00:00:30] COVID around us now, other people who need tests. It depends week by week, day by day, it keeps changing. So when it was quieter, everyone was getting tested. [00:00:43] Like a lot of people were getting tested, but, the more number of people getting tested, the labs start backing up. And so then they have to start restricting the amount so that the people who are sick get tested first so that those results come back in a timely fashion [00:01:00] versus, you know, tons of tests. [00:01:01] And some people have the symptoms, some people don't, but the ones who have the symptoms then have to wait for the results. So opening up and closing, depending on the demand and supply.
How has your work schedule changed?
[00:00:00] Goyal: As a doctor before I never worked from home. I always went into the clinic and we did a lot more office visits. We saw people in person, bu, at Kaiser, we did do a lot of telephone and video visits too, but now we're doing office visits, plus a lot of telephone and video, which was never the case before. [00:00:23] So I would never have worked from home in the past, but currently we're like going into the clinic a few days thing, working [00:00:30] from home the other days that even at work, we're not all crowded and, you know, exposing each other.
Were you able to transition to the new system smoothly and are changes still being made?
[00:00:00] Goyal: I think with the changes being made, every day is a different day. What was today may not be tomorrow. My work has a great place in informing all of us. So we're not like, you know, suddenly we come in and then we don't know what's happening. They really try and make sure everybody's informed with the daily changes, which is good. I keep myself busy. So, you know, I have my kids at home, my husband, and then we've been doing a lot of gardening. So, you know, you have to find an outlet to, cause after some time, it gets a little like, okay, when is this going to end? [00:00:38] So you have to find something to do to keep your mind occupied something constructive, because otherwise, you're always like, okay, when is this getting over? And then we'll look at the news and everywhere. There's always negative stuff. It's very easy to feel sad and down and depressed and hopeless. [00:01:00] But I think when you put your energy in something positive and, just keep chugging along, then you get through better.
Have you experienced any racial judgment or prejudice at your workplace?
[00:00:00] Goyal: I don't think here in California because, where I work, it's a very diverse environment and they accept and respect everybody. So I don't think so, but yes, in my past, yeah, I have had, you know, someone said, Oh, you have an accent where you from, or, Oh, you can speak English. So things like that, but not over here [00:00:24] because California is very diverse.
What hopes do you have for the future and how do you hope the medical system improves because of the issues highlighted by the pandemic?
[00:00:00] Goyal: I hope that at some point. Everybody, whether they work or don't work, has insurance, so universal health care so that everybody gets some kind of care, right? Not like getting broke, getting care. I hope systems get more integrated. I love electronic medical records because you can share information from provider to provider. [00:00:26] And, I think with the pandemic, I think it's also going to be more [necessary] where systems have to be integrated. People have to work together.