Trust me, I'm a doctor...

Trust is at the heart of the doctor-patient relationship. You, the patient, put your trust in me to make the correct treatment recommendations, and I, the doctor, trust that you are being honest with me regarding your history, symptoms, insurance issues etc.

Patients will sometimes ask me to use non-fertility codes during their care in order to get their insurance to cover a particular visit or procedure. This request is known as insurance fraud and I explain that although I am sympathetic to their situation, I am not willing to go to the "big house" on their behalf.

The problem is that doctors may differ in their philosophy, approach and personality. There may be multiple acceptable options for each couple and it takes time to discuss all options as one works towards making a decision.

So how do you know that you can trust the advice that you are getting? First, consider the source. What is your physician's training background...how long has he/she been in practice...does he/she look as young as Doogie Howser (I used to get that a lot but not anymore)....and what services does your doctor offer (full range of fertility treatments; no IVF; only IVF; no Donor Egg etc etc).

Then when you can no longer figure out where to go you can always ask if your RE ever worked as a camp counselor at a Boy Scout Camp...


Have a great weekend!