9 ways to tell your IVF patients it’s time to stop
(sz) You’ve seen your patient struggle with one unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment after another. She’s been counselled, medicated, harvested and implanted. To no avail. It’s taking its toll on her mental health, her marriage and her bank balance. You know it’s time to advise her she should move on and explore other options. But how?
“It’s delicate,” says Janet Takefman, PhD, Director of Psychological Services at the McGill Reproductive Centre. Dr Takefman presented a talk on this very quandary at the 14th World Congress on IVF in Montreal on September 19.
“A patient-centred approach is optimal for this type of consult,” she says. Keep in mind you’ll need to deliver mind and body counselling in this situation, so speak and listen with empathy, Dr Takefman recommends. “Speak from an emotional point of view. Be compassionate and respectful of their emotions.”
Here are Dr Takefman’s nine tips to help you tackle this often painful task. more…
From: »National Review of Medicine«