Arthritis At Home Episode 3: Medication therapies & changes in the delivery of healthcare during COVID-19 with Dr. Shahin Jamal

The third episode of Arthritis At Home features Dr. Shahin Jamal, a rheumatologist in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology at Vancouver Coastal Health and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and Program Director of Adult Rheumatology. #FactsFriday

Dr. Jamal discusses how the delivery of healthcare has changed during the COVID-19 outbreak as patients are increasingly having clinical visits with their specialists not in-person, but by telephone or on-line. Dr. Jamal also speaks about how the fear and concerns of inflammatory arthritis patients about the coronavirus is leading them to question whether they should be continuing to stay on their medications. Dr. Jamal responds with a resounding “Yes” and points to new studies that show these medications may be helping protect patients’ immune response if they become infected with COVID-19. At the end of the interview, Dr. Jamal addresses what the clinical trial use of hydroxychooroquine means for the supply and access of this medicine for arthritis patients who are currently taking it.