Medical Expertise Is Essential to The C-Suite During COVID-19 

During a time like the COVID-19 pandemic and as it continues to unfold before us, it’s expected that many would find this an incredible stressful time. The virus has affected our daily lives, as well as our ability to work/ work in a safe and healthy environment regardless of our career field. While in quarantine people may feel vulnerable and unsure about what to do under this weight of uncertainty, especially if they or someone they care about could contract the virus. For these reasons, it’s important for employers to consider the expertise of a medical professional for their staff and customers during this crisis. Not only is timely and accurate information essential to running an organization, but it can be a crucial part of avoiding a public relations disaster that can result from otherwise avoidable missteps.

Xenophon Strategies for example has partnered with Dr. David Hamer, a Professor of Global Health and Medicine at the Boston University Schools of Public Health 

and Medicine. His 30-plus years of experience in epidemiology has been essential in our ability to share key insights with our employees to keep them healthy. 

We have also been able to apply his knowledge to support our clients’ communications efforts for their own staff and customers during these challenging times. Below are several reasons why having a medical expert available during COVID is recommended:

Offer Staff with COVID Safety Guidelines: 

An important role a medical expert can play is providing staff with guidelines to follow in order to avoid contracting of COVID-19, such as social distancing and hand washing. This is to ensure that they and their families are staying safe. The guidelines should also include what the employee needs to do if they contract COVID. 

Help Avoid Information Overload on COVID-19: 

A trained medical professional, like Dr. Hamer, will not only have knowledge, but also a wide variety of resources at their disposal that can be shared in real-time. Their ability to disseminate information can be faster, more reliable and less stressful than trying to find information on your own. There are so many online resources and news sites to choose from, and one could easily encounter information overload, or worse yet, inaccurate information.  

One–Stop-Shop: 

With that in mind, Dr. Hamer acts as our organization’s one-stop-shop for all must-know updates and information on COVID-19. The health professional can not only share updates, but also propose medical advice and guidance (though not replace the care of your own physician), field questions from staff, offer virtual conferences, provide critical resources to your Human Resource department, and more. 

Offer Mental Health Support: 

As people continue to become stressed over the current crisis, the medical professional could provide critical recommendations on mental health. Granted not all medical experts are in the field of mental health, but they can be someone your employees engage to talk to about the challenges they are facing day-to-day. If they can’t provide the support needed, the medical professional can recommend a doctor who specializes in mental health.

Support and Review Communications: 

Depending on your business, a medical professional can review and support communications outreach to employees and/ or customers. This is an area that Xenophon is valuing Dr. Hamer’s expertise daily since his knowledge on COVID-19 ensures that all information provided to these parties is timely and accurate. 

Social Media on COVID 

In addition, social media is an important tool for communicating with employees and customers when you are practicing social distancing. Posts about your business, customer operations, critical messages and other updates can be reviewed by a medical expert.  

Applying the expertise of a medical professional, such as Dr. Hamer, will be critical in ensuring that you and your staff know how to combat COVID-19 and are practicing the necessary hygienic recommendations. Following these best practices will ensure that everyone is ready to get back to work once quarantine breaks.  

Additional Information on Responding to COVID-19: 

For additional information, recommendations or questions on staying safe amidst COVID-19, please visit Xenophon Strategies’ COVID Crisis Response webpage at: https://xenophonstrategies.com/covid-19-response. 

Getting Back to Work is an ongoing series on health and safety regarding COVID-19 from Xenophon Strategies, in partnership with Dr. David Hamer, a professor at the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine with more than 30 years of experience in epidemiological diseases. Through the partnership Xenophon is working with Dr. Hamer to provide science-based recommendations and guidance on how employers, employees, and families should best respond to and combat the COVID-19 pandemic.