Content Resources

By Greg Allen Our world has been devasted by disease before…many times. COVID-19 is not the first disease to create great fear for the people on this planet and cause them to become consumed with self-survival. This is a perfect opportunity for the people of GOD to demonstrate the peace and compassion that comes from the privilege of belonging to the One who created this world and the peoples who live in it. Today’s healthcare workers have the greatest platform to let the world see the peace and compassion of God as they care for those affected by COVID-19. People need to see what peace looks like. Peace comes when people are not afraid to die. Peace comes not from having enough money to buy food, medicine, and shelter, but from having no fear of the consequences of having none of those things. God’s people have a deep peace because we know our future is secure, therefore we are not afraid of anything in our present. Christian healthcare workers will naturally have the temptation to be afraid of the coronavirus. All of us are prone to fear. But we are not our own; we have been bought with a price. And greater is the One who is in us then he who is in this world. My prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ who work in the healthcare field today is that they be overwhelmed with the peace that passes understanding. I pray they resonate with Jesus when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that the Father choose a less painful path for him, yet he ultimately – full of peace – submitted to his calling. May there be peace in their hearts. People need to know what compassion feels like. Compassion wells up in the hearts of people who realize how sinful they are, yet have experienced God’s mercy to forgive their sin through Christ. The joy of being forgiven results in a deep compassion for others, and a desire that they also know the forgiveness of God. Christians show the deepest and best compassion because they know how it feels to have compassion shown to them. When Christian healthcare workers choose not to run from the Emergency Room, but rather run to it in order to help the person affected by the coronavirus, they are demonstrating God-like compassion. There is another decision to consider. What if our fellow Christian healthcare workers find a humble way to tell their COVID-19 patient the reason they chose to work in the doctor’s office or the ER that day? What if we all pray that God would give us discerning words to share with the sick, the fearful, the worried, the vulnerable, the forgotten people who are deeply and even gravely affected by COVID-19? What if the people of God, who are called by His name, would humble themselves and pray and seek His face? Maybe, just maybe, God would hear our prayers, and choose to heal our land. And if He does choose to heal, would we be quick to tell others of His goodness, not ours? Could we give Him the credit, not take it for ourselves? May the result of COVID-19 be that the glory and majesty of God be seen in His people as they demonstrate peace and extend compassion to all people. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

When we landed in our target country a few weeks ago, the word “pandemic” still seemed like a remote possibility that elicited varied responses. From calm reassurance to outright mockery that this could ever get that far, everyone had an opinion. What a difference a few weeks make. We set out to Africa as first time long-term, full-time missionaries. During our travel we saw a few masks in the airport (and even one full body hazmat-type suit), but everything seemed like business as usual. Within two weeks of our arrival in-country, airports and borders all across the world began closing as that “remote possibility” became our reality. The pandemic was official. At the time of this writing, our country of service in West Africa, that is less than 2% Christian, has just confirmed its first case of COVID-19. Ironically, this occurred on the same day that all airports were scheduled to shut down at midnight. Many in the missionary community had to make quick decisions about whether to return to their passport country or stay in the country where they serve. Most have stayed, including us. In a country that ranked last on the 2019 Human Development Index and has as little access to healthcare as anywhere in the world, we are bracing for the worst. As Christian physicians, we are here at a unique time. Many people here, as is the case everywhere, are panicking and looking for answers. This poses an incredible opportunity to serve people through direct healthcare and also through education and comfort. We have the ability to point people to resources and reading material, but most importantly we can point them to our Father in heaven who loves His creation and wills that none should perish. Despite all of our education, medical training, and procedural skills, the Good News of Jesus is still the greatest and most needed thing we can offer to people. We can offer medicine and the skills within our power, but the Gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). We may not have a cure for this terrible pandemic, but we have the very power of God, the Creator of the universe, on our lips waiting to be spoken to a desperate and fearful world. “This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20). That is what is available to us. We not only have access to this power, but we also have the privilege of proclaiming it. This is what a sick and dying world needs more than medicine, more than vaccines and more than anything else we can offer. If we cure the body but lose the soul, what have we accomplished? People can call on a physician for medical care, but if they call on their Father they can have eternal life. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:13-14) Giving people an opportunity to hear is our first and most important responsibility. In addition to offering the way to salvation, we can also offer prayer. Prayer for our patients, families, leaders, and the scientists who work tirelessly to develop tests, vaccines, and potential treatments. Prayer is one thing that cannot be shut down. It cannot be quarantined and it cannot be confined. Borders may close. The arms of the Father stay open. Coronavirus tests may be delayed. The Lord does not delay. Nations and stock markets may crash all around us. People may panic and all medical options may fail us. But our God remains on His throne. Our steadfast Prince of Peace is not surprised by any of this. He will use it for His good, as He always does. So in this time of unprecedented challenges and uncertainty, let us remember who is on the throne and who is in control. It is not the physicians, the hospitals, or the politicians. All of those will fail us eventually. Of course we offer the medical care available to us, but we must turn to the Lord and point others to Him first and foremost. He is what a sick and dying world needs most of all. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

My wife Wannee went to the Philippines on Leap Year Day. Why would she want to go there, especially with coronavirus on the horizon? So that she, an OMF short-term worker coordinator, could see some highlights of integrated (holistic) outreach there in a two-week period. Short-term-worker coordinators there and new friends took her on an amazing journey to see outreach in three parts of the country. What does outreach look like? In Davao City, a nurse took Wannee to a maternity center offering pregnancy care to local women; to a Muslim urban poor ministry teaching people healthy diets and skills in making handicrafts that supplement their income; and to a private hospital focusing on children’s disabilities. In Manila, Wannee joined OMF physicians who screen, diagnose, and follow up TB patients. They also train community health volunteers who can, in turn, help family, neighbors and friends with TB. Other outreach includes providing scholarships to students, sports ministries such as basketball tournaments, and health and nutrition training. In the Muslim community as well as elsewhere, they teach young children how to read and adults Christian values like honesty, obedience, and truth. In Samar, Wannee experienced a very poor community with an older OMF Filipino missionary. That missionary and others support local pastors through training and discipleship. When Wannee arrived in Manila over two weeks ago, only six cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the country. By the time she returned to the megacity, there were over 100 and the government was just announcing a lockdown of all domestic travel. She made it out just in time! She is self-quarantining at home. One virtual meeting after another! Reflecting on that lockdown due to COVID-19, a veteran of ministry in the Philippines wrote: “My biggest insight is about the change in the majority people’s worldview the past 30 years. Throughout the 1990s, a fatalistic outlook was very evident. I don’t think the government would have implemented these kinds of restrictions back then. They would have let people make their own decisions. Most people would have kept doing what they always do, thinking, ‘If I get the virus and die, it was my time to die.’ Plus, many of the relatively poor people I knew in the provinces did not want to live a long life. They were happy to die in their 50s and not reach the point of becoming a financial burden to their children. Now, the gospel has touched many of their lives. The economy has strengthened significantly. People have a higher quality of life and want to live longer. That makes them proactive. They exercise, eat better, and are happy to obey these restrictions.” Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

We watched it grow. At first, it was pretty distant unless you live in China, or specifically in Wuhan. It increased in size and its impact travelled before it. Eventually, it was declared a pandemic and its blow thundered across the nations, globally. It’s no longer business as usual all over the world, in every sector, including the church. We are in disaster response status. As Christian health workers, what should be our perspective and response at this time? Our Perspective Our identity is on the table. We are not health workers, but Christian health workers. We are invited to be what only people who know Christ can be in this response. We have an opportunity to live out our faith and serve from our identity. It’s amazing that during a time like this, we are able to live and serve as children of the King, confident that he is still on the throne. Our hope makes us stand tall. It does not put us to shame. We come under a covenant established between God and Noah and all the generations to come. Our hope in this is once again pegged on our God. He will not destroy. We can echo that hope in the midst of every situation as it unfolds. We can have courage. As fear, panic, and anxiety rise, we will be different. The Lord is with us. We will not be dismayed. He will strengthen us when we begin to fear. His outstretched hand is victorious. Let’s take hold of it. God watches over us. Has he not assured us he is our refuge and our fortress, and we can trust him? Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. We can trust him. And even if he invites us into a pit, even there he will be with us. He is depending on us to bring healing. We are the people God is going to use to halt this. His people, who are called by his name, humbling ourselves and praying and seeking his face and turning from any wrongdoing. This will cause him to hear from heaven, forgive and heal our world. We are the aroma of Christ. To all who are affected, directly or indirectly. To one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? As men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. We are his aroma in this pandemic. We do not rely on our ability. It could well be that this has happened so that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God. Our deliverer will once again deliver us from a deadly peril. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us and those we serve. His love abides. To the end. Nothing will separate us from his love. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Our Response May we be a shining light to the nations. May those we serve see his glory shine through us. May we bring a word of hope to one and to all. Let his mercy flow through us that the nations may be healed through the power of Christ. May we display his uncompromised righteousness in this season, as we fulfill our role.  Yes, we will stand. Does it feel like war? Well – here we come. Soldiers of the cross marching with him. His banner of love will be lifted by us. May he lead the procession of Christian health workers and may we be among that number. Until this has passed, he can count on us. We will stand by his passion and zeal. As duty calls, we will not be found wanting. We sign in.  The end is around the corner. The finish line is just ahead. We will run and not be weary. We will walk and not faint. Though the night tarries, joy comes in the morning. Soon, we will look back and give thanks. Until then, we will fight a good fight. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

This week reminds me of the days in the 1980s when I worked in Africa. It was the beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis. I worked in a rural hospital and school of nursing in a tropical rain forest. I was uninformed about HIV/AIDS. Nursing students continued to care for patients with resistant tuberculosis and ‘wasting syndrome.’ Blood samples were collected and hand-carried in a thermos to the nearest testing center several hours away. Each sample came back as positive. I became fearful, my security shaken, and anxiety ruled. COVID-19 ‘happened,’ and all of a sudden, those same fears, thoughts and potential scenarios ruled my mind. As a leader in the School of Nursing, I shared with the team what God taught me in the 1980s. I shared Psalm 91 with our team of healthcare educators: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in who I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2). Healthcare education dramatically changed. Nursing clinical experiences were canceled, nurse practitioners are unable to complete hours, the NCLEX-RN exam schedule changed, and the list goes on. All healthcare students (medical, therapy, nursing, etc.) requiring face-to-face practice experiences are affected, impacting graduations, jobs, and life plans. The happenings the past few months in China, Italy, the US, and most countries around the world were unplanned, unthinkable, and unfathomable. So how does a healthcare student who is a faith believer face uncertainty? I am discovering that instead of social distancing, I am practicing physical distancing. I need social interactions. I like working and living in community. Healthcare students need social support as they recognize that education is changed, and it will affect their immediate future (postponed or canceled graduation). Students need an opportunity to express their fears, disappointments, and losses in safe environments. Faculty need to provide opportunities one-on-one and in groups to grieve together, to laugh together, and share what God is teaching them through losses. Time for sharing Scripture verses, answers to prayers, and solutions to feeling isolated must be provided to students and faculty and family. God is teaching each of us lessons, and sharing the experiences benefits the faith community. So what is the role of the healthcare student during the COVID-19 pandemic? It is to be the voice of hope for fearful people; it is to share community, especially for those who are isolated and alone, and to trust God for the future of their healthcare careers. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

Many of you are sheltered in your homes. Others are cut off from loved ones in distant countries. Plans for travel have changed. Many of you have family and friends who have lost their jobs and income because of COVID-19. The Lord is not unaware of all these realities. At a time like this, it can be tempting to wonder if the Lord is hearing and answering our prayers. We know He does, but sometimes it can feel like walking between two high walls of water, fearing they might collapse at any minute, like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. But the plans of the Lord were unfolding in that very moment, in answer to their cry for deliverance. Remember the passage in Joshua 1:6, “Be strong and courageous, for you will give the people this land as an inheritance that I swore to their ancestors to give them.” This was a time of significant uncertainty among the people of God. Their leader of forty years, Moses, was now dead, and the rod of Moses was no longer available. The people of God were now asked to cross a flooding Jordan River into a hostile environment. God was not rushing them through a flooded Jordan because heaven had run out of manna for them to eat in the wilderness. No, God was working in accordance with his own purpose, plan and timing “for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest” Joshua 3:15. God wanted his people to simply trust Him, even without the rod of Moses, which was instrumental in crossing the Red Sea. He wanted them to step, by faith, right into the rushing waters. Perhaps we feel like we are facing a raging river with neither Moses nor the rod of God, or like the Israelites, facing a wall of water with the Egyptian army breathing murder behind. It might seem like everything has come to a halt, that we are unable to move or do anything meaningful. However, our greatest work is still ours every day—the work of prayer. Prayer knows no boundary, no quarantine, no confinement. Prayer knows no travel ban or city blockade. Prayer is still the work. Like the Israelites, we may discover at the end of this time that the Lord has been at work all along, winning battles we were never even aware of. Think about it, we prayed for governments leading countries through the crisis. Today we are already seeing an increase in their response and in the urgency with which they are now dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. The key is to keep our eyes on the Lord, not just the statistics and the media. We may not know everything, but one thing we know is that our God is still on his throne. He says through the psalmist, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Here is the psalmist’s response, “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high stronghold (or refuge)” (Psalm 46:10,11). He still is! Let’s keep up our courage. Let us be strong in the face of an uncertain future, in the face of a disease we do not understand. Let us serve our neighbors and those in need around us, expressing the love of Jesus in a time of need. This is what Christians through the ages have done in the face of fear and disease. As we have done for more than 125 years, so we will do today: pray. He will yet be exalted—even amidst a global pandemic! May the peoples praise Him! Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

You’ve been dreaming of serving in missions and preparing for it. Now with COVID-19, everything is on hold. Or is it? What seems like harm for our community could also turn out to be for our good. How can we take advantage of this time right now? We’d like to share a few practical things you can be doing now to prepare to launch into missions soon after travel restrictions are lifted. Meet with potential supporters: What better time to meet up online with friends, family, church leaders, and potential supporters? They might need your encouragement right now. They might have more time and availability to pray. You might stand out in their minds because they think you’re crazy, but then it gives you the opportunity to share with them why this is so important: people are living and dying right now without Jesus and we have an opportunity to change that! Do theological study: Now is the time to build a strong theological foundation. Many organizations require some seminary, but while not all healthcare professionals choose to take seminary courses, having a strong spiritual foundation will help you thrive personally and spiritually, as well as make a greater impact on those you’re going to serve. Check out this free program through Gordon Conwell Seminary: Dimensions on Faith Here are some suggested courses we recommend whether auditing, online, or in some other setting. Systematic Theology Old Testament Survey New Testament Survey Hermeneutics (Bible Interpretation) Church History Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Study language: There are multiple ways to study language. Check out great resources like Transparent Language, which has many more obscure languages than some of the other apps. Also, libraries do have some great beginner books for the more common languages, as well as e-books. Build cross-cultural relationships online to learn culture and practice sharing your faith. There are ways that you can find online communities or individuals who would like to learn English or become a language partner for you to learn their language and culture. There are other platforms, but try meeting regularly with someone to learn about their culture and their religion, as well. This will help you know how to better engage the people you hope to serve one day. Make sure this relationship is not one-sided, but one of give and take. One platform to consider: is ITalki. Grow in other areas like writing, speaking, teaching, business skills or more. As a mission worker, you’ll be expected to write lots of updates and newsletters, perhaps even do some grant writing. You’ll also be asked or expected to speak in churches and other communities. Now’s a great time to hone those skills - maybe even take a preaching course or one on teaching. You could consider taking intercultural skills courses. Business skills often come in handy on the mission field ,as well. And don’t forget that learning to take good photos, produce videos, or do graphic design can all enhance your communication with others as well. These skills will help you share the awesome things God has done and is doing. Here’s a link to one free opportunity: FutureLearn. Pray for least reached. Now is the time to learn and pray more! Be diligent in researching and lifting up least reached. If there’s not already a people group on your heart, visit Joshua Project and pray for their featured workers. Watch videos of different countries through PrayerCast. Also consider checking out PeopleGroups.org and Operation World. LiveDead Journal will challenge and stretch you and help shape the way you pray for least reached. Grow in spiritual disciplines: prayer, fasting, silence, Scripture memorization, generosity, confession, worship, fellowship, celebration, service, rest. Have you ever considered tithing your time? 10% of 24 hours = 2 hours and 24 minutes. What would it look like if you spent that much time every day communing with the Lord through prayer, listening, digging into Old and New Testament, singing worship songs, and more? Try committing the next 30 days to this and see how it transforms your life! Whether you are able to commit that type of time or not, do consider growing in areas of spiritual discipline and find a friend or two who will do this with you. Rest: God modeled it and we should do it! Did you know that God’s original plan included a whole year of rest? Don’t believe me? Look up the Year of Jubilee in scripture. Not only are we meant to Sabbath weekly, but we’re meant to rest, take sabbaticals, and change things up, not just pushing hard all the time. People who rest on average 8.5 hours a day have been found to be more successful in their work and happier in life. Studies show that burnout can be more harmful and more difficult to get out of than depression. Missionaries, and especially medical missionaries, tend to push this issue to the limit and to the detriment of their teams, ministries, and families, often resulting in coming home from the mission field early. How can this be avoided? By truly learning to set boundaries and intentionally planning times of rest; or in this case, taking advantage of times of rest. You were designed by the Creator for rest and for recreation, so why not enjoy what He’s given you? Time to rest and play!! Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

Motivational Interviewing and the Healthcare Team

As one of the nation’s most accessible healthcare professionals – drop by anytime, no appointment necessary – I’m grateful for the individual and collective commitment that pharmacists have in supporting the well-being of our communities during such troubling times. In times of uncertainty, fear, and confusion, it is also encouraging to witness the sincere collaboration of the entire healthcare team – setting aside self and, collectively, ministering to the health needs of others. People are scared. They’re attempting to interpret the ever-changing information being funneled to them via the media. They’re looking for a sense of control over the elusive…peace within the chaos. Unfortunately, the early stages of a pandemic are filled with more questions than answers. And, yesterday’s answers are often invalidated today. The accessibility of pharmacists – especially those serving in community pharmacies – puts them on the front line of answering questions, triaging care, and infusing a measure of security into the lives of others. A pandemic drastically changes the manner of a community pharmacist’s daily business. Here’s a little glimpse ‘behind the counter’. One challenge of the community pharmacy is changing workflow in an effort to reduce community spread of the coronavirus. In an environment that is regularly visited by individuals with illness and/or risk factors making them more vulnerable to the most serious effects of the coronavirus, it is of critical importance for the environment to become more orderly and respectful of social distancing recommendations. With cautions leading to a slower workflow, patience – on the part of everyone – is required more than ever. Other strategies being employed to limit community spread include such things as telemedicine communication and ‘parking lot’/home delivery of medications to an extent never before seen. Although the pandemic consumes the conversations, meeting the ongoing needs of patients in the management of chronic medical conditions requires extra attention. Pharmacists around the country have been quick to engage state agencies aimed at easing prescription refill regulations – ensuring that self-isolation doesn’t overly disrupt ongoing treatment plans. The present pandemic is caused by a virus for which there is neither a treatment nor a vaccine. Yet, there are emerging medications in both categories and it is incumbent on the pharmacist to maintain a keen awareness of both the scientific data and the potential ramifications of community awareness. Of note, a medication that has been used for many years in the treatment of malaria – hydroxychloroquine – has been identified as a potential treatment for coronavirus. It is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (aka, lupus), diseases of the immune system. Usually, this medication is in limited supply in a community pharmacy because of the rather small patient population that uses it. However, the purported potential of the medication to effectively treat coronavirus has created a number of unexpected, and very concerning dynamics. Chief among them, prescribers have been prescribing the medication for themselves, family, and friends to have ‘just in case’ any of the individuals become infected. This has created a shortage of the medication in pharmacies, such that individuals who regularly use it for the treatment of RA or lupus are unable to get it. Further, should the medication prove useful for the treatment of coronavirus, those individuals who are sick will be unable to receive it. From a healthcare ethics perspective, the principle of ‘distributive justice’ would stand in strong opposition to such hoarding of medications. In response, pharmacists are implementing strategies to help ensure that the supply of hydroxychloroquine (along with its “cousin” chloroquine) are reserved for those who presently, or urgently, need it. Pharmacists are using their expertise in medication compounding to meet unexpected needs. Only weeks ago, nobody would have imagined that the nation’s supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer would have been, effectively, exhausted. This was less related to hoarding, and more related to the fact that everyone needed some, and the on-hand supplies were insufficient to meet the needs. In response, pharmacists are employing their expertise in the compounding of hand sanitizer. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

Being a missionary is no easy task. So many hopeful candidates head for the field with dreams and plans, goals and identified targets. Yet a staggering number of medical mission workers end up with their dreams dashed, their plans gone awry. This breakout session addresses the unfortunate incidences of burnout and premature return from the place of ministry for both short-term and long-term medical missionaries. The world in which we live is increasingly complex. Issues of safety and security have become significant in many of the places where medical missionaries are needed most. Yet the pressures of the work, relationships, and other challenges continue to undermine the longevity, joy, and capacity to thrive for medical missionaries. We must examine what is going on and collaboratively seek wise responses to the challenges, for the sake of both the lost and the called. Medical missions remains one of the most impactful types of mission services, and perhaps one of the key opportunities into many communities that are otherwise closed or hostile to the gospel. Yet at best, many medical missionaries only try to survive in their work; at worst, others return home prematurely and burnt out. Thankfully, counseling, mentoring and support for medical missionaries is more available today than it used to be. However, what if there were ways to diminish the stress on the medical worker and equip them to flourish? Could making a few changes to recruitment, combining home and field efforts in appropriate placement, and intentionally designing supportive work environments make a difference? This session offers a compelling case study that reveals what works, what has not worked, and what else should be considered. This breakout session will benefit all medical professionals, including those preparing to go and those already serving in medical missions.  The words of Dr. Bogunjoko, the International Director for mission agency SIM will encourage, inspire, and equip anyone that is exploring the idea of Medical Missions.

Following are key priorities for healthcare in resource-poor areas, with actionable suggestions that address missional areas of: Growth in Christ Integration of Faith and Practice of Faith Building Teams that Include the Church Development of Local Leaders Preventive Practices: Hygiene/Handwashing In communicating the importance of hygiene—and specifically handwashing—during this crisis, develop a few solid biblical messages, e.g., about what is ‘clean’ and how this purity relates to hygiene. Engage believers and churches to ensure the right messaging. Build community, church, and staff teams to deliver the message. Select and mentor some youth and church leaders. Staff Education Concerning COVID-19 Emphasize Biblical hope, calling, and sacrifice, in the midst of uncertainty. Engage believers and churches to ensure the right messaging. Build a staff development team to be both scientific and pastoral. Mentor and empower staff leaders to educate and grow others. Triage and Open Air Measures Understand that Christ did not heal all. Determine care of patients by need, not by position or wealth. Engage healthcare staff with ethics of serving without enough resources. Build triage tents or shelters for healthcare, and build temporary places to do hospice-type care if needed. Develop local leaders by bringing together volunteers with building experts. Protection of Staff Conduct regular prayer and Bible study on relevant topics, such as caring for the Body of Christ and “one another” passages. Home supplies will be needed by staff to care for home needs when they are called to extra measures in serving in healthcare. Involve teams including the local church to meet need for supplies to protect staff, such as locally produced masks, face shields, waterproof aprons, etc. It is best if care of the local staff is seen as coming from local leaders (to decrease a sense of superiority and hierarchy). Avoidance of Nosocomial Spread Growth in Christ will be realized in caring for others (the concept of being a watchman). In integrating faith and practice, it will help to understand excellence as it pertains to our faith and works. Physical barriers, as well as personal protection are critical for teams. Encourage teambuilding with concepts such as “it is the responsibility of everyone” and “success in this is dependent upon accountability within the team.” It will be better if lessons are taught by local leaders rather than expats (they are better in contextualizing). Home-Based Care Help everyone understand that care is being part of the body of Christ. This is an opportunity to break down walls dividing health care and other ministries. Get churches involved in home-based care. Involve teams from churches for outreach, compassion ministries, and prayer coverage. In-home care offers another chance to develop local leaders in the community. Avoid Burnout of Staff (both Mission and Local) Where possible, hire extra people, carefully manage staff scheduling, sick days, and rest days. Consider local believers to fill the role of chaplains to the staff, and use imagination for other creative ideas. Together with the local church, build teams to consider creative approaches to developing and keeping margin in the midst of confusion. Church can be central to ministering to the staff, and can build hearts of compassion and service. Recognize the need to care for staff and colleagues in order to prolong service and health of the team. Lead by compassion. Shift to Essential Services Prayerfully consider “what is a just or righteous approach to “essential”?. Engage the community both as professionals, as well as religious leaders. Seek assistance of church leaders to differentiate essential vs. nonessential services by prioritizing the needs of the community served. Discern when nonessential services actually limit essential services. Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here

In my fifteen years in the telemedicine industry, this is certainly the most unique time I have encountered. By virtue of our client telemedicine consultations, we are quite literally seeing the public deal with the COVID-19 virus both physically and mentally. People are sick and wondering if they have the virus. People are scared and dealing with anxiety. From phone, to video, to online messaging we are daily working with individuals as they assess their own situation and ask our doctors and medical providers (eg: psychologists, pharmacists) to help them determine their right next steps. While there remain many questions about what is ‘next’ in this COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine is proving that it is a key tool in the fight. Let’s take a brief moment and lay some groundwork. The word ‘Telemedicine’ is a fairly new term for most of us. In short, telemedicine is the process of using digital technology (ex: phone, video, online messaging) to foster healthcare interactions that improve a patient’s health status. As we all can agree, the ‘phone’ sitting in your pocket right now has radically altered the way we do life...including the way we do healthcare. Can we, in good conscience, even call it a phone anymore? What was once only a ‘cell phone’ is now a shopping cart, credit card, bank account, calendar, encyclopedia, phone book, game system, flashlight, camera, and more. Consider, for a moment, that the phone in your pocket has more than one million times more memory and has 100,000 times the processing power1 of the Apollo 11 spacecraft computer that put humanity on the moon and brought them home. Within the last decade, this now ubiquitous device has also become a medical clinic and a new frontline defense against COVID-19. I want to give three examples (all names are pseudonyms) of people utilizing their everyday technology (phones, tablets, laptops) to access telemedicine services in direct relation to this pandemic: Asia – Stephanie and her husband are missionaries in Asia with their three adolescent children. They were impacted quickly as COVID-19 gained a foothold in Asia and began to spread regionally. Stephanie used her tablet to login to her telemedicine account and securely message back and forth with telemedicine physicians in America. This asynchronous interaction was an important convenience as it eliminated the time change issues involved with live communication. Over the course of a couple weeks, Stephanie and her husband were able to work with the telemedicine physicians to better understand the complexities of the situation and make the best decisions for their family. Washington – Alex lives in Washington state and has been monitoring the virus closely since it first arrived in the US. His location was one of the first areas in America to be impacted by COVID-19. As a precaution, Alex began working remotely from his home. He began feeling poorly and turned to his telemedicine service for help. He initiated a first available video consultation and within 30 minutes was having a real time video consultation through his laptop. Based on his symptoms, the physicians felt that Alex was experiencing a common cold. Since that initial consultation, Alex has stayed in touch via messaging and the physician team has helped him treat his symptoms, which continue to be assessed as a common cold. “As we watch COVID-19 unfold, telemedicine is rightfully getting a lot of attention. Regardless of your location, the technology in your pocket is now a lifeline to medical experts. The doctor has come to you.” New York – Vanessa works and lives in New York City. She rides the subway every day. She began feeling poorly and called the toll free number for a telephonic consultation while she was at work. Within 40 minutes she was on the phone with a physician. The physician used the most current COVID-19 triage protocols and determined that Vanessa may be infected. She was directed to immediately leave her place of work, find the closest place where she could be tested, and quarantine herself in her apartment until she had results. Vanessa tested positive and has been put under the care of a local physician while she manages her symptoms and recovers. As we watch COVID-19 unfold, telemedicine is rightfully getting a lot of attention. Regardless of your location, the technology in your pocket is now a lifeline to medical experts. The doctor has come to you. Consider these quick points of how telemedicine is uniquely positioned to fight against this pandemic: Patients are being efficiently triaged prior to accessing in-person medical facilities Healthy users are able to treat routine health issues and avoid COVID-19 exposure Rural and international patients have a medical provider access point Telemedicine physicians are staying productive by reducing their exposure Ongoing monitoring of quarantined patients is simplified by phone, video, and messaging During this historical pandemic, telemedicine is helping patients make better health decisions and more efficient use of healthcare resources. It is a valuable complement to the irreplaceable face-to-face relationship of a physician and patient. As the globe continues working together to combat COVID-19, let us be grateful for the ways technology is giving us help...but let’s be even more grateful for the men and women healthcare professionals putting it all on the line and tirelessly working on behalf of their patients. 1Graham Kendall. (2019, July 2nd) Your Mobile Phone vs. Apollo 11’s Guidance Computer. Retrieved from https://www.realclearscience.com/ articles/2019/07/02/your_mobile_phone_vs_apollo_11s_guidance_comput- er_111026.html Download full ebook "A Healthcare Worker's Response to COVID-19" here