I just attended a seminar for gynecologists. One of the sessions consisted of a moderator who described the medical details of a series of infertile couples and then asked the panelists how they would treat them in their clinic.
What amazed me is that none of the doctors said they would consider inputs from the patients when formulating a management plan. While they all designed excellent treatment plans based on "evidence-based medicine", most of these were plans which would work well in a text book, but not in real life.
Many of the doctors were over aggressive in advising tests - even when these would not affect the patient's treatment options. There was too much enthusiasm for doing wasteful procedures such as laparoscopy; or repeated IUIs.
I feel it's extremely important for patients to help the doctor in formulating a treatment plan they both are comfortable with ! Otherwise, the "treatment" your gynecologist suggests may just end up wasting a lot of your time and money - and cause you a lot of frustration !
What amazed me is that none of the doctors said they would consider inputs from the patients when formulating a management plan. While they all designed excellent treatment plans based on "evidence-based medicine", most of these were plans which would work well in a text book, but not in real life.
Many of the doctors were over aggressive in advising tests - even when these would not affect the patient's treatment options. There was too much enthusiasm for doing wasteful procedures such as laparoscopy; or repeated IUIs.
I feel it's extremely important for patients to help the doctor in formulating a treatment plan they both are comfortable with ! Otherwise, the "treatment" your gynecologist suggests may just end up wasting a lot of your time and money - and cause you a lot of frustration !