COVID contingencies: Early epicenter experiences of different genetics clinics at a New York City institution inform emergency adaptation strategies

Abstract

The unique situational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have demanded creative modifications to the delivery of genetic services. Institutions across the country have adapted workflows to continue to provide quality care while minimizing the need for physical visits. As the first epicenter of the pandemic in the country, New York City healthcare workers and residents had to make rapid, unprecedented changes to their way of life. This article describes the workflow adaptations of genetic counselors across various clinical settings at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the largest provider of genetics care in New York City, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors observe how the adaptations impacted clinical care and the genetic counselors. Our lived experience and account can provide guidance for others during the current and future pandemics.

Keywords: genetic counselors; genetic services; lived experience; service delivery models; telemedicine.

FIGURE 1

(a‐d) Anonymous survey responses of general genetics clinic staff to different questions related to their stress, anxiety, and ability to work remotely during the first eight weeks of the COVID‐19 pandemic in NYC (March 16‐ May 1, 2020). N = 32 for surveys at week one and week eight and N = 33 for survey at week four. (a) Survey responses to the statement ‘I feel anxious’. (b) Survey responses to the statement ‘I am stressed about changes to my work due to COVID‐19’. (c) Survey responses to the statement ‘I can effectively work from home’. (d) Survey responses to the statement ‘I am anxious about my own health’

FIGURE 2

Workflow changes adopted across all outpatient genetic specialties at Columbia University Irving Medical Center