Oncologist with COVID-19 treats his patients virtually

HARTFORD, CONN. — When Dr. Justin Persico first began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, his mind immediately went to his patients. As a medical oncologist at Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center at Trumbull, part of Yale Cancer Center, he was all too aware of the people he treats, who would be at greater risk for exposure to the virus.

“Your mind starts going in all different directions,” he said. “Of course I knew I needed to get tested, for what I do, and I deal with severely immunocompromised patients. One of the first thoughts is worrying about the patients I saw and could have exposed over the week or so before I developed symptoms.”

Persico was ultimately tested and diagnosed with COVID-19, and his wife fell ill as well. He calls his case mild but still experienced “pretty significant” symptoms that put him out of commission for a few days. Despite his illness, he felt a duty to keep treating those relying on his care.

“As doctors ... we worry about our patients,” he said. “I have patients who are relying on me to, in a way, keep them alive with these treatments, or to cure their cancer, their illness.”

The answer was telemedicine. Although Persico wouldn’t be able to offer in-person care and treatment, he worked with his office to quickly set up virtual consultations, using HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing and records he could electronically access.

On the third day of his illness, though he was isolated in his bedroom and fighting fatigue and coughing fits, he used an iPad and a computer to treat three patients. As he slowly recovered, he moved to his home office and worked up to consulting with about 10 patients a day.

If a patient still needs an examination or in-person care, he has arranged appointments with one of his partners or his nurse practitioner.

“Really, almost none of these patients can wait six, eight weeks or more for their treatment,” he said.

Persico’s symptoms have improved, though he calls the illness “lingering,” and he hopes to be cleared to return to work soon.