Sahil Gupta, Hurdle Mark Friedrich, Fox Jessie N, Garg Lohit
Department of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA.
Department of Nursing Education, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA.
Cureus. 2023 Jul 20;15(7):e42185. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42185. eCollection 2023 Jul.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth substantial changes to societal norms and global health infrastructure, one of the most impactful being mask wearing. With varying attitudes toward mask usage in a post-pandemic environment, this paper introduces the concept of "mask mirroring" in healthcare settings. This strategy involves healthcare providers reciprocating the mask-wearing behavior of their patients, intending to respect patients' choices and alleviate their potential concerns and anxieties. It is hypothesized that mask mirroring could serve as a symbol of empathy and solidarity, enhancing the doctor-patient rapport and facilitating effective healthcare delivery. In addition, it could reduce the transmission of respiratory infections, fostering a safer healthcare environment. Importantly, mask mirroring addresses the power dynamics between healthcare providers and patients, allowing patients' preferences and comfort to be prioritized. The implementation of this concept requires clear communication about its purpose and symbolism, striking a balance between reassurance and respect for differing viewpoints. The ultimate aim of mask mirroring is to promote patient-centric care, reflecting our commitment to understanding and empathizing with patients' concerns in a world recovering from COVID-19.
新冠疫情给社会规范和全球卫生基础设施带来了巨大变化，其中最具影响力的变化之一就是戴口罩。在疫情后的环境中，人们对口罩使用的态度各不相同，本文介绍了医疗环境中“口罩镜像”的概念。这一策略要求医护人员效仿患者的戴口罩行为，旨在尊重患者的选择，减轻他们潜在的担忧和焦虑。据推测，口罩镜像可以作为同理心和团结的象征，增强医患关系，促进有效的医疗服务。此外，它还可以减少呼吸道感染的传播，营造更安全的医疗环境。重要的是，口罩镜像解决了医护人员与患者之间的权力动态问题，将患者的偏好和舒适度放在首位。这一概念的实施需要就其目的和象征意义进行清晰的沟通，在安抚和尊重不同观点之间取得平衡。口罩镜像的最终目的是促进以患者为中心的护理，体现我们在从新冠疫情中恢复的世界里理解并同情患者关切的承诺。
