The pandemic has necessitated that healthcare providers follow appropriate infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures in conjunction with sfCare approaches. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for in-person care, and phone or video for virtual care has created not only a barrier to the spread of COVID-19, but a potential barrier to human connection as well. Healthcare providers have had to invent new ways to emanate caring through these barriers. 

• A glimpse at who's behind the PPE - when wearing full PPE try placing a large photo of yourself on your gown, along with your name and role in large letters. This removes the "faceless / nameless" barrier of PPE and provides a visual cue that there's a caring healthcare provider on the other side.
• A warm intro to virtual care - when providing virtual care to a new patient (especially if the first encounter is by phone), email or mail an introduction which includes your photo, a few professional highlights, and a few personal highlights. This gesture can help facilitate trust by replacing the visual cues in your office (certifications, family photos etc.).