INNOVATION IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY: OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UTILIZATION OF HYBRID SERVICES BY CHIROPRACTORS AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the delivery of healthcare services. The objective of this commentary is to highlight the potential for implementing, covering, and improving access to virtual healthcare in combination with face-to-face services. Discussion: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, many state and local governments enacted stay-at-home orders and closure of non-essential businesses, followed by phased re-opening and adherence to federal recommendations and guidelines. These measures, aimed at stopping and slowing the spread of COVID-19, abruptly changed the ability of healthcare providers to deliver healthcare services as they had prior to the pandemic. This included providing pain management, with specific challenges for Doctors of Chiropractic who rely on face-to-face service. The impact of these current disruptions on the future of healthcare services, “the new normal,” is unknown and there may be lasting fundamental shifts. Staff chiropractors employed by the Veterans Administration have collaborated to implement virtual pain management services to lessen the impact of interrupted, discontinued, delayed, limited, and/or suspended care. We provide a brief overview of the health approach implemented across the Veterans Health Administration and implemented virtual care. These innovative approaches may become a part of the “new normal.” Conclusion: The current pandemic has transformed how conservative pain management strategies are delivered. The future of the post-pandemic healthcare system will be transformed. Future success may depend on adopting new clinical models that include virtual healthcare.