This episode is shared from Answers from the Lab and was originally published June 16, 2020. 

Guest: Elitza Theel, Ph.D. (@ElliTheelPhD) 

Host: Bobbi S. Pritt, M.D. (@ParasiteGal) 

Elitza Theel, Ph.D., Laboratory Director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, led the efforts to evaluate and implement the serologic antibody test for COVID-19. She gives an overview of Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 antibody test, as well as the role of antibody testing during the pandemic, and how sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence play a large role in the positive predictive value of a test. 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd 

This episode was recorded August 6, 2020. 

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast 

Guest: Lisa A. McGee, M.D. 

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

What are population centered care and health? How do we best use rationed resources within our health care system to most effectively meet these needs? Dr. Lisa McGee discusses the Science of Health Care Delivery,  the impact mass media messages have had on the current COVID-19 pandemic, and how we can use the information we have about population centered health to address key influential components of SARS-CoV-2’s continual spread. 

Suggested Readings: 

1. The effect of public health measures on the 1918 influenza pandemic in U.S. cities 
   

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded on June 26, 2020.

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast 

Guest:  Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. (@DrPritishTosh) 

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

Novel viruses causing outbreaks tend to do one of three things: disappear completely, become endemic in certain areas, or roll through populations with ongoing transmission until herd immunity is achieved or an effective vaccine is developed. Dr. Pritish Tosh states, “If natural infection doesn’t cause long-lasting protective immunity or the vaccines don’t do the same, this thing could be with us for a long time.” Take a walk through the past 100 years of pandemics as Dr. Tosh draws comparisons and lessons learned. 

The Economist - The Grim Calculus 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded on June 26, 2020. 

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast 

Guest:  Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. (@DrPritishTosh) 

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” - Mike Tyson 

Thin margins and economies of scale help lower costs but can create significant vulnerabilities. Often calculations of lives lost in the event of a shortage or costs to stockpile may not be factored in when sourcing supplies. Healthcare supply chain practices over decades have lead to significant weak points in our supply chains for some vital materials and we often have no view of this until it’s too late. 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded June 25, 2020. 

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast 

Guest:  Kenneth G. Poole, Jr. M.D., M.B.A. (@KPooleMD) 

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

Black, Latino, and Native American populations have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Underlying health inequities have been a major contributor. Dr. Kenneth Poole discusses social determinants of health and how these combined with systemic racism, predating COVID-19, laid the groundwork for the suffering we’re seeing unfold. What can we do to address it effectively? 

COVID-19 and African Americans - Clyde Yancy 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded May 19, 2020.

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast

Guest:  Sidna M. Tulledge-Scheitel, M.D., M.P.H.

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused waves of care disruption for people around the world. What patient populations have faced unique risks? What signs of impact from the temporary restriction of medical outpatients services are we seeing? Dr. Tulledge-Scheitel shares what’s being seen at Mayo Clinic, what she anticipates we’ll be seeing in the coming months, and what she’d do should this need arise again in the future.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded June 17, 2020. 

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast

Guest:   J. Taylor Hays, M.D. (@jtaylorhays), Robert Vassallo, M.D.

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

Is the act of smoking a risk factor for transmission? Does nicotine protect against severe COVID-19? Dr. Hays and Dr. Vassallo discuss what is currently known about the risks of smoking in regard to COVID-19 and treatment of patients who smoke, during the pandemic.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded June 17, 2020. 

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast

Guest:  J. Taylor Hays, M.D. (@jtaylorhays), Robert Vassallo, M.D.

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

Is smoking a risk factor for severe disease in COVID-19? How accurate is the documentation of smoking in COVID-19 cohorts currently published? What role should a smoking history play in the prognosis and management of COVID-19? Drs. Hays and Vassallo discuss the prevalence of smoking worldwide, the impact of documentation, and the role smoking may play in COVID-19.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

This episode was recorded on May 13, 2020.

To claim credit visit: https://ce.mayo.edu/covid19podcast

Guest:  David J. Rosenman, M.D. (@davidrosenman)

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., M.B.A. (@AmitGhosh006) 

“At a time when most of the world in one way or another is suffering, it seems relevant to talk about ways to relieve some of that suffering and to help.” Studies have shown that patients value empathy over sympathy, and compassion over empathy. While measures to protect ourselves and understand the spread of COVID-19 and the clinical presentation of the disease are underway, the inconsistency of information across sources brings greater uncertainty for our patients and at times ourselves. 

Dr. Rosenman discusses what compassion is and the importance of compassion as a tool to help us and our patients, feel better mentally and physically. He recommends practicing self-compassion and will step through the practices of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.