Tenacity Test: The Fertility Doctor's Dare

So many very considerate patients have said this to me when I have had to deliver bad news - acknowledging that a fertility doctors job has extreme highs and lows when it comes to navigating a patients infertility treatment and getting them to the finish line.

Yes it is our job. And this is why I think this job is for a very specific type of person. I think a major characteristic of being a good fertility doctor is having TENACITY.

Did you know one of the top causes of treatment failure is DROPOUT? As high as 15 to 14 patients drop out of treatment prematurely- even in statescountries with fertility treatment coverage meaning we can and should be supporting patients better to keep them in treatment because often persistence is the name of the game.

We have to be unafraid to have the hard conversations, to make the next decision, and to pick our patients back up after a disappointing outcome to support, encourage them bolstering them up as we move to the next plan to try again, most importantly- WITHOUT a loss of enthusiasm. And with clear, honest counseling re stats and realistic expectations so that patients are using their time and resources wisely. It is also important for us to be REAL- it is ok to say when we as a field dont know or have an answer- it doesnt mean there isnt a plan or that novel approaches cannot be tried but we need to be honest with patients when we are venturing into that territory beyond evidence-based testingtreatment and there should be a frank discussion re what is knownnot known and risks, pros vs. cons.

(Something Ive found makes this easier is that I work at a clinic with high volume and 20 years experience - so even if I havent seen it, a colleague surely has.)

I appreciate the consideration of patients who, in their moment of loss and disappointment, take the time to acknowledge the toll these conversations have on us- but I really dont think any of them should apologize or feel bad about it. It is our job and a major privilege to be in this trusted position

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