Gynecologist Opening New Practice Gets Advice From 40 People About What To Include In His Office

This was much needed, thank you.

Lakeisha

• Published in Interesting
• December 27, 2021

No matter how brave you are, there's always something about visiting the gynecologist. I don't know about you, but I can't even pep-talk myself out of fear, even when I know nothing's wrong.

I guess it's the layout of the office or the overall theme and design that just doesn't help us settle whenever we visit the gynecologist. Much like the feeling we get when we visit the dentist, even if we're not visiting for ourselves.

Not only are gynecology appointments invasive, sometimes painful, and uncomfortable, they also drain you out, both physically and emotionally. People who visit the gynecologist are extremely vulnerable and have no choice but to reveal sensitive details they would've never revealed to anyone else.

It's natural then that Dr. Ryan Stewart, a gynecologist by profession, asks the world to help him see what people like to see in a gynecologist's office. Dr. Stewart plans to open his practice and he knows how important it is to make patients feel comfortable.

He had one aim in mind - if people (who visit the gynecologist) could design his office, what little details would they include that would have otherwise been ignored? Of course, this post is about 40 people and their answers, but over 3,000 people came forth with some eye-opening suggestions.

Here are some suggestions for Dr. Stewart.

Here's Dr. Ryan Stewart's tweet

This is a great way to make patients feel comfortable.

Yes, let's respect people, and make them comfortable before discussing matters further.

Exactly. It's time we break the stereotype.

Right on. Sometimes people are afraid to be judged, and other times they don't know.

This is another great idea.

Yes, this is extremely unsettling.

Yes, be more sensitive towards other people's feelings.

Having children or not is a choice, not a rule set in stone that women must follow.

This is a great idea too. Sometimes you can't tell unless there are other ways to tell without being too open about it.

Yes, IUD is painful. Let no one tell you to take it easy.

Yes, yes and yes.

100%. Nobody should feel uncomfortable leaving the gynecologist's office.

Yes, everyone has a right to privacy. Help people achieve that.

There are ways, but you'll need to sacrifice time and patience. It'll help the patient, though.

Yes, just because 100 women visit the office doesn't mean it's no big deal. For every patient, it is a big deal.

Women are women and your office should represent all aspects. Privacy matters as it helps calm us down.

Exactly, I've seen people being "dumped" on higher beds, leaving them with agonizing pain. Let's step in their shoes, for once.

Any procedure requires pain management. Any procedure without pain management is criminal.

Don't be all serious all the time. We don't need that at this time.

This makes all the difference. We get to retain our presence of mind and get ready to re-enter the world.

Yes, 100%. Questions that can be answered NO to have to be asked in private.

Yes, be sensitive to other patients and their needs before treating them.

It's uncomfortable, and adds more stress as we sort of feel like we're settling and then we're not.

This is great practice.

Exactly. Don't judge us in our most vulnerable state.

Yes, some sort of distraction helps us release our energies and manage a little pain if needed.

This is on point.

Believe your patient is telling the truth. Probe them only if your treatment requires it.

Exactly.

Respect your patient, they're extremely vulnerable at this point.

Yes, the rooms don't have to be so cold, especially if we're going to be in gowns. Gives us goosebumps and amplifies pain.

Yes, 100%.

Explain to the patient what you're about to do before doing it. It helps us calm down.

Yes, we really don't need all the marketing.

Yes, this in on point.

What's the point of TVs anyway? Everyone can't watch what they want, right?

Exactly, we're humans, not goats.

True that. Remember one woman's pain is another woman's nightmare.

Yes, not everyone who visits the gynecologist is pregnant.

This isn't only rude and demoralizing, but also quite insensitive. Any questions that can be answered NO to should be asked in private.

In Summary

People from all walks of life responded to Dr. Ryan Stewart because people from all walks of life visit the gynecologist. It's wrong to assume only people who're pregnant, those actively trying to conceive, or those who've given birth visit the gynecologist.

Keeping this in mind, and sure you can't cater to everyone's advice, do the bare minimum to help patients feel comfortable. Provide them with the privacy they deserve and give them the opportunity to "fix themselves up" in private before having them re-enter the world.

Lakeisha