Digital media and communication technology may not be the first things you associate with fertility healthcare, but my field as a reproductive endocrinologist is more intertwined with these avenues than you think. I’ve always placed a high priority on being able to communicate with my current and future patients through the routes they are most comfortable with, whether that be IVF chatrooms in the 90s or Instagram in 2019. I am so excited to share a podcast I was recently featured on, where I was interviewed by Griffin Jones for Fertility Bridge about the value of physicians’ commitment to communication, advocacy, and their patient community as a whole. Listen to the podcast here!
What We Discuss
In this podcast episode, we talk about how patients can benefit from having a fertility doctor who is active on social media, as well as the barriers that prevent many specialists in this field from making an online name for themselves. As far as online spaces, social media is where many of those seeking fertility treatment can be found. When they find a doctor on social media who is active, quick to respond, and open about themselves beyond their profession, feeling comfortable with that doctor over others is far easier. Cultural competence, which is extremely important in medicine, can be achieved through strong communication, so why not foster some of that communication through social media?
Many doctors who reject social media see it as a marketing technique rather than an important method of communication and connection. Some worry about making online-rookie mistakes, without realizing that these very mistakes make them more relatable and real to their patients. In the podcast, I also talk about how improved communication can support oncofertility, which is something I am extremely passionate about. So give it a listen for my take on the type of communication needed to spread the reach of fertility preservation for cancer patients.
Fertility Advice and Guidance at Your Fingertips
I am proud to be active on social media – I feel that it allows me to establish an even deeper connection with my patients and provide them with all the information they need. If you have any questions about fertility, treatment options, or anything else related to reproductive health, please don’t hesitate to contact me on my website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook so we can chat. I’d love to provide whatever answers you’re looking for so you can feel as confident as possible about the steps you take for your overall reproductive health.
