Jonathan J. Shepherd, M.D.

About

Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist
Employed as the Chief Medical Director, Hope Health Systems, INC.
Board President, Black Mental Health Alliance, INC.
Baltimore, MD

Thoughts

“The COVID-19 pandemic has literally changed the way medicine is practiced. Telehealth is now the “new norm” for providing care to patients. I take pride in being able to sit face-to-face with some of the most challenging mental health cases, but because of the pandemic and the stay-at-home order, I am no longer able to be in the same physical room with the person I am treating. Yes, I may see the facial expressions of the person, but I am no longer able to feel the impact of the person’s story as he or she shares about the internal struggles.

Telehealth is exhausting work. The connectivity issues with the streaming platform, use of a compatible device, the speed of the internet, landscape vs. portrait profile—these are all new nuisances that I did not deal within the traditional office space. Even with these challenges and adjustments, the pandemic has brought out the best in my patients. Many of them are genuinely concerned about me and want to hear about my day and well-being before tackling their mental health issues. Yes, the sessions may go longer but we both leave satisfied and fulfilled. The pandemic may have caused us to be further apart physically but the doctor-patient bond is now stronger than ever!”

Photographer

Jermaine Gibbs. Baltimore, Maryland
w: http://www.jermainegibbs.com