Doctors Add a Personal Touch for COVID-19 Patients

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, essential workers across various sectors have been risking their lives to help others. Among them are doctors and hospital staff who continue their healing and supportive roles amid these trying times. 

However, one intern named Dr. Robertino, working with COVID-19 patients at the Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, thought more could be done. "It was just another day of adhering to strict protocols as I entered the ward. As I put on my protective suit and mask, I thought about my patients — how awful they must feel when we approach them in these suits, unable to see our faces."

"More than anyone, I know how a soothing smile can make all the difference between a calm patient and a frightened one," Dr. Robertino shared in a social media post. "This massive mask on our faces doesn't make anyone look friendly or, in some cases, human. And when you work with people who heavily rely on your smile for hope — it’s critical."

With this in mind, Dr. Robertino came up with a simple yet effective idea: he printed a smiling photo of himself and pinned it to his protective suit so patients could see his real face. "This way, my patients can always see me smiling, and perhaps think that if I'm smiling, everything will be alright."

Inspired by his initiative, many doctors in the COVID-19 ward have followed suit, pinning their own smiling photos to their suits. 

Dr. Kate Granger, a physician in the geriatric department who also volunteers in the COVID-19 ward, remarked, "A smile is an incredibly important component for building connections between doctors and patients. Creating this connection helps alleviate anxiety on both sides, which is why the significance of a smile in this context cannot be understated."