I am aware through my own processes with IVF etc that sometimes we don’t know how to interact with our clinic and reproductive endocrinologist to ensure that we are doing all we can to make the experience the best that it can be for all concerned – afterall we are all in it for the same outcome!   A little bundle of joy!  So we want to know how to be the ‘perfect patient’ .  RESOLVE (an organisation I am a big fan of) is the National Infertility Organisation and is not-for-profit. They support people like us throughout the USA and I highly recommend registering on their site and getting their info and support too.  However I will be sharing a lot of their info and articles here too, and this is one of them, written by Sharon N, Covington MSW and Linda Hammer Burns, PhD written for ‘Family Building’ Fall 2007.  At this point I would like to add, that of course there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ patient (we want to lessen the stress, not add to it!), we are only perfect in being the best we can be in any situation, and that it the choice we have in what we strive to do!    

Tip No. 1

The perfect patient communicates honestly, openly, directly and calmly with the physician and other caregivers.    The begins by abandoning the concept that the doctor has special god-like powers. communications should flow natureally and without reservation or intimidation. Patients often have difficulty stating problems or doing so in a clam manner. It’s fine to bring aides to your appointments such as a written list of issues or questions you wish to address. Focus on clearly stating the problem or complaint, your position and what you consider a satisfactory resolution of a problem (e.g. an apology or a different way of handling the problem in the future.  

Looking forward to sharing the Tip No. 2 with you soon!  Louise x