Taking care of people who take care of people

Caregivers on the front lines of this health crisis have become our modern-day heroes. From the outside looking in, it may appear that they have some type of superpower that enables them to care for patients every day without stress or anxiety. This is not the case. They are human and are susceptible to the same behavioral health issues as the rest of us.

We sat down with Josh Cutler to get some perspective on how Providence is helping caregivers and their dependents cope with the COVID-19 crisis. Josh is the clinical lead for the behavioral health concierge service for caregivers. Launched in June 2019, this concierge program offers same day or next day appointments to help caregivers deal with stress, depression, addiction, grief, and burnout. So far, Josh and his team have had nearly 2,000 visits with caregivers.

“I’m finding it to be some of the most meaningful clinical experience I’ve had to date…taking care of people who are taking care of people,” Josh said.

The behavioral health concierge service is part of a bigger telehealth program Providence offers to caregivers and patients alike. From Telepsychiatry to Telestroke to virtual care, Providence offers 40 telehealth services. These remote care offerings are staffed with more than 250 clinicians who have helped over 67,000 patients and caregivers.

While Providence has offered digital care for more than five-years, these remote care offerings have become an important outlet for many people during the COVID-19 health crisis. These services are an extension of the Providence promise to know patients at an individual level and ease their way in finding the care they need at the moment of need.  

In the video below, Josh provides an overview of the telehealth program and offers some great advice to help patients and caregivers navigate this challenging time. At the end of the day, Josh said, “We’ve been through worse as a species. I think back to my grandparents who lived through the great depression and some of those challenges they faced…to be reminded that the human journey is difficult but full of hope.”

Watch the video (~30 minutes) to learn more.