Ep. 21 | Patient Advocacy and the Importance of the Patient Experience

10/31/19 • 22 min

How can infertility patients be well-informed, empowered, and get the right guidance throughout their family-building journey?

From their first visit and throughout the road to fertility, it can be overwhelming, frustrating, and fearful for infertility patients as they are often overloaded with new information and processes they are expected to understand and deal with immediately.

In this episode, Linda Scruggs, BSN, R.N., registered nurse, writer, blogger, and content creator, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss patient needs and how healthcare providers can enhance the patient experience, improve communication, and build trust with their patients starting with the first visit to the doctor’s office.

Tune in to discover:

Why the initial process can be so overwhelming for new infertility patients
Ways that fertility clinics can enhance the patient experience and psychologically empower their patients
The critical role of transparency in building the patient-clinician relationship
How healthcare providers can give their patients a more active role in decision-making
What patients can do to prepare for their first visit to have a productive and great first consultation

How can infertility patients be well-informed, empowered, and get the right guidance throughout their family-building journey?

Tune in to discover:

Why the initial process can be so overwhelming for new infertility patients
Ways that fertility clinics can enhance the patient experience and psychologically empower their patients
The critical role of transparency in building the patient-clinician relationship
How healthcare providers can give their patients a more active role in decision-making
What patients can do to prepare for their first visit to have a productive and great first consultation

Previous Episode

Ep. 20 | Understanding Pre-cancerous Changes to the Lining of the Uterus

Pre-cancerous changes to the lining of the uterus do not get a lot of attention, but are a critical aspect of a woman’s fertility and overall gynecological health. Women, especially those who want to preserve their fertility, need to understand what the risks are for developing pre-cancerous cells and how they can mitigate those risks.

In this episode, Shelly Seward, M.D., FACOG, gynecologic oncologist at Women’s Care Florida, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to break down how pre-cancerous changes to the lining of the uterus come about and what patients can do to detect and treat it.

Tune in to discover:

How uterus lining cells can become pre-cancerous
Who may be at higher risk of developing pre-cancerous uterus lining cells
How polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may come into play
What an endometrial biopsy is and when it may be needed to rule out cancer
Treatment options to help you maintain your fertility

About Shelly Seward, MD, FACOG

Dr. Seward is board certified in gynecologic oncology, and obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her practice offers complete care for ovarian, uterine, cervical and vulvar cancer, as well as complicated benign gynecological issues. Dr. Seward performs all levels of surgery from minimally invasive preventative surgery to radical tumor resections. She administers chemotherapy, coordinates radiation therapy, and helps her patients manage side effects from treatment.

Dr. Seward is passionate about integrative medicine—combining complementary alternative medicine to traditional care—and clinical trials investigating new medications in the treatment of gynecologic cancer.

Dr. Seward earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology with a minor in molecular genetics from Ohio State University. She received her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and returned to Ohio State to complete her obstetrics and gynecology residency. In addition, Dr. Seward earned a fellowship in gynecologic oncology from Wayne State University.

In her spare time, Dr. Seward enjoys spending time with her family, horseback riding, college football, water sports, and dining out.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

He is double board certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarships for those unable to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Dr. Trolice serves on committees for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as the editorial advisory board of Ob.Gyn.News. He has conducted scientific studies with resultant num&l

Next Episode

Ep. 22 | How to Optimize Cervical Health and Maximize Your Fertility

Women need to monitor their cervical and overall health before getting pregnant to avoid more serious complications for mother and baby down the road.

However, cervical disease and even cervical cancer do not automatically spell the end for a woman’s fertility. Technological breakthroughs and modern medical advances now allow women to successfully treat cervical abnormalities, including cancer and still conceive, carry, and deliver a healthy baby.

In this episode, Christopher Bryant, M.D., FACOG, gynecologic oncologist and surgeon, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss the latest developments in cervical health, and break down the different options available to treat cervical disease while still allowing women to build their families.

Tune in to discover:

Why pap smear testing is a vital part of preparing for pregnancy
How often you should get a pap smear test based on your age
Non-invasive treatment options for cervical disease
The implications of cervical cancer on fertility
The latest cervical cancer treatments and how they allow women to maintain their fertility and deliver healthy babies

About Christopher Bryant, M.D., FACOG

Dr. Bryant is a gynecologic oncologist specializing in surgery, treatment, and research for female conditions, including reproductive cancers (ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and others), and robotic surgery. His special interests include oncofertility and helping with education and management of women’s health issues and impact on family planning.

Dr. Bryant is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Medical Association and the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Bryant received his undergraduate degree from Arkansas State University and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Hospital and Medical Center and completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Wayne State University Karmanos Cancer Institute.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE, is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

His current book, The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility: Discovering Your Reproductive Potential and Maximizing Your Odds of Having a Baby, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.