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Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH, ABOIM, on Cultivating Resilience in the Time of COVID-19

Brad Jacobs, MDBradly Jacobs, MD, the founding medical director for the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California-San Francisco, is a Diplomate of the America Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM), which is governed by the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). Dr. Jacobs offers a refreshing perspective on how we can all move from a mode of surviving to one of thriving during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all have something in common,” Dr. Jacobs says, “we are all afraid. Recognizing our commonality allows us to come together around the difficulties we’re experiencing.”

During this anxious and often divisive time, he encourages us to pause and be mindful of our emotions, so that we can choose how to respond instead of simply reacting.

Humans across the planet are worried and afraid, Dr. Jacobs points out, but through intelligent planning, we can be comfortable, even confident, living with uncertainty. Two fundamental components on this path to a more centered life are knowledge, which is power, and a daily practice, which gives us choice.

Knowing more about COVID-19 and how we can stay safe and protect ourselves helps us on the intellectual, or cognitive, level, he says. Developing a daily practice, during which we quietly observe our thoughts and emotions, allows us to choose how we respond to stress and uncertainty, helping us to cultivate a sense of wisdom.

Dr. Jacob points out that we know virus outcomes are related to the host (the human body) and environment, but little attention has been given to the host. To put it simply, we must make smart health choices. Our immune system is a function of our health and vitality. Without proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise, it’s hard to maintain our well-being, much less robust health. Compromised health increases the risk of getting sick from the virus.

Dr. Jacobs says, understandably, many of us worry about contact with people, contaminated packages, and food, but the truth is the preponderance of infections are due to our environment, whether it’s a meatpacking plant, an office building, or our home.

He recommends that we take a close look at our indoor ventilation systems with a mind to improving them. Considering influenza alone, he notes that an improved ventilation system can reduce infections by as much as 50% percent. If it’s cost-prohibitive to redesign your ventilation system, you can improve ventilation in an interior space inexpensively by opening windows for cross ventilation and using fans and HEPA filters.

 

As Dr. Jacobs says, we should all know by now that contact prevention methods like washing our hands and wiping down counters and doorknobs are critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19. But it bears repeating that wearing a mask is hugely important. “The idea that you didn’t need a mask was politicized and policy-based and not based on science,” Dr. Jacobs says. “The question is which type of mask is best?”

For instance, some people ask whether it’s necessary to wear an N95 mask. “The truth is, N95 masks are uncomfortable and hard to find,” he says. “They also need to be properly fitted across your nose and mouth and under your chin, and, really, they belong in the hands of health care workers, who need them.”

But surgical masks are a great alternative. Some studies show that in non-hospital settings, there is no difference between N95 masks and surgical masks in influenza intervention effectiveness. When compared to homemade masks, surgical masks perform better at protecting yourself and others. Surgical masks also allowed far fewer of the particles emitted from a cough or sneeze to pass through.

To people who very concerned about how to safely navigate the workplace environment, Dr. Jacobs says it’s all about being mindful: “Slow yourself down. Be aware of your movements—how you adjust your mask, what you touch.”

The pandemic gives us an opportunity to reimagine our lives, Dr. Jacobs says. We essentially gain more sanity by asking ourselves questions like: How much do I want to consume? What’s really important to me? We have a valuable opportunity to regroup, reflect, and ground ourselves, he says.

To avoid exhaustion and anxiety, Dr. Jacobs recommends a daily practice, like meditation, which allows us to check our emotional state and our energy level, so that our concentration, decision-making, and immunity are their peak.

Remember also to exercise, Dr. Jacobs advises. Even low-intensity exercise offers significant health benefits. Go into nature for a walk or a hike. Also, find creative ways to socialize, as many Americans are doing through Zoom and thoughtfully planned outdoor and physically-distanced neighborhood gatherings. Then, rethink about our life’s purpose. “This can be a clarifying time to ask ourselves: What do I really want to do, how and with whom do I really want to spend my time?”

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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