Why I like teaching patients

All doctors have the responsibility of doubling up as teachers. This means that doctors have to ensure that their patients are well informed about the various medical treatments they seek. However, in today’s world, everything has gone commercial, with the medical practice being a target spot for quacks, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufactures and hospitals. The sad news however is that a significant number of them either lie or tell half-truths about their products and services.

It is disheartening to see how poorly informed patients are about their medical condition and how they lose money and time in pursuing treatments that only serve to add to their suffering. The obvious outcome is that patients’ complaint loudly about clinics hospitals and doctors. 

As an IVF specialist, I try to educate patients about IVF ! I derive a lot of fulfillment from patients’ responses to my educational postings. 

Of course I do not have all the answers, but I am grateful that the internet has allowed me to reach out to thousands of infertile patients all over the world. Moreover, this is good for my professional reputation and that of our clinic. I must also admit that I have learnt a lot in the process of teaching patients and also gotten to sharpen my thinking and help infertile patients better. For those patients who find books boring, I have partnered with film makers, artists and graphic companies to create comic books , e-learning courses and videos.