Taking extra precautions to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some to steer clear or put off routine healthcare visits for themselves and their children. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Terrence Steyer, MD, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at MUSC Health, explains why it is time to come back for regular visits, preventive health screenings and specialist visits. He also stresses the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccines for those who have not yet had the shot. 

Topics covered in this show:

• The decline in routine health care visits across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The importance of annual wellness check-ins and physicals to screen for problems such as breast or colon cancer.
• How MUSC addressed the problem of underrepresented minorities and lower income people are going back for screenings at a lower rate than white people. 
• COVID-19 hesitancy and how Dr. Steyer communicates with patients who are hesitant.
• How hospitalized COVID-19 patients can delay care for other patients with other health conditions.
• Why it is important for children to continue getting well child visits to stay ahead of any developmental issues that could arise. 
• The importance of getting the influenza shot.
• Steyer shares his personal story of getting COVID-19 despite being vaccinated and explains that his case was mild because of being vaccinated. 
• The mental health aspects of quarantine with COVID-19