Page 18 - MidWeek - March 24, 2021

18 MIDWEEK MARCH 24, 2021
Dr. Bennett Loui, an internal medicine physician, is leading a new program at Hawai‘i Pa- cific Health called the Long COVID Care Program.
DR. BENNETT LOUI
Internal medicine physician, Straub Medical Center; division chief of internal medicine, Hawai‘i Pacific Health Medical Group
Interviewed by Don Robbins
A Long-term View On Coronavirus
The program supports pa- tients experiencing symptoms of Long COVID, which is a term used to refer to patients who have recovered from the worst impacts of the coronavi- rus and test negative for an ac- tive virus, but still experience lasting symptoms.
neurology, psychiatry and oth- ers are helping develop pro- cesses for the program, advise on condition management and provide referrals when appro- priate,” Loui says.
a broad range. I’ ll see one patient for a minor ailment and the next one for a com- plex and very serious medical problem.
Long COVID refers to an array of symptoms that persist after the period of an acute COVID-19 infection. Some estimate that around 10% of COVID patients ex- perience persistent problems after their active infection, including difficulty breath- ing, fast heartbeats, severe fatigue, depression and diffi- culty thinking referred to as “brain fog.” It even affects those who may have only had a mild initial illness, and it can persist for months. There is much we don’t yet know about Long COVID.
to identify and learn more about this problem and sup- port the needs of those who are suffering. Our clinicians use telephone or video visits to monitor Long COVID pa- tients and assist management with their primary care pro- viders and specialists.
The National Institutes of Health recently announced a $1.15 billion initiative to study the prolonged conse- quences of COVID-19. This will help us learn more about the effects of Long COVID, who’s at risk and what is the underlying biological cause. We will be managing these problems long after the cur- rent pandemic subsides.
Clinicians connect with pa- tients through telephone and video visits to provide regular monitoring and coordinate care with patients’ primary care providers to manage symp- toms and provide referrals to specialists for ongoing care if needed.
Dr. Bennett Loui participates in a telehealth visit with a patient.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I PACIFIC HEALTH
“The program has engaged key specialist leaders to pro- vide the most up-to-date knowledge in their areas as it relates to COVID and Long COVID symptoms. Leaders in cardiology, pulmonology,
What inspired you to pursue a degree in medicine?
Another part of medicine that attracted me was the teamwork that is essential to our profession, as we innovate and collaborate to provide the best possible care.
As a primary care provid- er, I relish having long-term relationships with patients from all walks of life. Pro- viding comprehensive care for my patients’ current con- ditions, I am also committing to addressing whatever might happen in the future. An in- ternist’s daily duties span
Interestingly, some patients with Long COVID are report- ing symptom improvement after getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Although it’s too early to know for sure, this is hopeful news.
He grew up in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School. Loui attended college at Brown University and medi- cal school at Thomas Jefferson University.
What should people know about the Long COVID Care Program?
“I am fortunate to be back in Hawai‘i to live and work, and I feel blessed to have my wonderful wife (who is also a primary care physician) and three children with me as we navigate through this extraor- dinary COVID year,” he em- phasizes.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
This week, Loui tells us more about the program and his career.
physics and camp counseling. While majoring in biomedical engineering in college, I real- ized that if I became a doctor, I would be able to participate firsthand in applying science to benefit individuals.
Why did you decide to focus on a career in internal med- icine?
I’ve always been fascinated by how science can improve human lives. Growing up, I was interested in biology,
The Hawai‘i Pacific Health Long COVID Care Program is part of a growing effort by the medical community
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