Gynecologist Opening New Practice Gets Advice From 40 People About What To Include In His Office

Few places make people tense up faster than a gynecologist's office, even when the appointment is routine. The mix of privacy, vulnerability, and awkward small details can make the whole experience feel heavier than it should.

That is why one doctor asking people what they would want in a new practice got such a huge response. More than 3,000 people weighed in, and 40 of those replies stood out for the little things patients notice most.

Some of the suggestions are practical, some are surprisingly specific, and all of them say a lot about what patients want to feel in the room. Read on.

Here's Dr. Ryan Stewart's tweet

stuboo / Twitter

This is a great way to make patients feel comfortable.

CA_AstroComm

That simple question opened the floodgates.

Yes, let's respect people and make them comfortable before discussing matters further.

davieledgerwood

Exactly. It's time we break the stereotype.

girlgeek_rva

Right on. Sometimes people are afraid of being judged, and other times they simply don't know.

eschatomaton

This is another great idea.

mgbrock

Yes, this is extremely unsettling.

janetwerther

Yes, be more sensitive to other people's feelings.

Anneredmond13

Having children or not is a choice, not a rule set in stone that women must follow.

ejdowney72

This is a great idea too. Sometimes you can't tell unless there are other ways to convey it without being too open about it.

OkayestWorld

Yes, IUDs can be painful. Let no one tell you to take it easy.

Wilddaisys1

Yes, yes, and yes.

RetRn17

100%. Nobody should feel uncomfortable leaving the gynecologist's office.

farewellwanderx

Yes, everyone has a right to privacy. Help people achieve that.

macdoin

One theme kept coming up, privacy matters more than people think.

There are ways, but you'll need to sacrifice time and patience. It'll help the patient, though.

dr_bff

Yes, just because 100 women visit the office doesn't mean it's no big deal. For every patient, it is a significant matter.

karabear_1

This is similar to the fight with a stubborn brother who refused to prioritize his health, and Reddit weighed in.

Women are women, and your office should represent all aspects. Privacy matters as it helps calm us down.

KimEMPA2019

Exactly; I've seen people being 'dumped' on higher beds, leaving them in agonizing pain. Let's step into their shoes for once.

KeriCarbaugh

Any procedure requires pain management. Any procedure without pain management is criminal.

sciencechick1

Don't be serious all the time. We don't need that right now.

PhabPharmaDoc

This makes all the difference. We get to retain our presence of mind and prepare to re-enter the world.

thenotoriusMDB

Yes, 100%. Questions that can be answered with 'no' should be asked in private.

KCooperGriffin

Yes, be sensitive to other patients and their needs before treating them.

amybrosewater

It's uncomfortable and adds more stress, as we feel like we're settling, and then we're not.

Trishamott

This is great practice.

iamoutofideas12

Exactly. Don't judge us in our most vulnerable state.

HunterHammersen

Yes, some sort of distraction helps us release our energies and manage a little pain if needed.

thdr_squirrel

This is on point.

theemptypockets

Believe your patient is telling the truth. Probe them only if your treatment requires it.

Sarah_Dawns

Exactly.

omegaverseloki

Respect your patient; they're extremely vulnerable at this point.

PoliticusSarah

Yes, the rooms don't have to be so cold, especially if we're going to be in gowns. It gives us goosebumps and amplifies pain.

HC_Richardson

Yes, 100%.

kdonelan339

Explain to the patient what you're about to do before doing it. It helps us calm down.

mvasquez_owner

Yes, we really don't need all the marketing.

KristinMount

Yes, this is on point.

KristiCCoulter

What's the point of TVs anyway? Not everyone can watch what they want, right?

stillSTH

Exactly; we're humans, not goats.

GinPNP

True that. Remember, one woman's pain is another woman's nightmare.

kornymidwife

Yes, not everyone who visits the gynecologist is pregnant.

tcshields

This isn't just rude and demoralizing; it's also quite insensitive. Any questions that can be answered with 'no' should be asked in private.

TisJennMitchell

In Summary

People from all walks of life responded because individuals from all backgrounds visit the gynecologist. It's wrong to assume that only those who are pregnant, actively trying to conceive, or have given birth visit the gynecologist.

Keeping this in mind, while you can't cater to everyone's advice, do the bare minimum to help patients feel comfortable. Provide them with the privacy they deserve and give them the opportunity to 'fix themselves up' in private before having them re-enter the world.

Small changes can make a big difference in a room like this.

Before you judge, see what happened when someone asked their parents to shorten their visit.