HOW TO IMPROVE THE GYNECOLOGIST’S OFFICE

A gynecologist from Indianapolis, Dr. Ryan Stewart, is starting his own practice and has asked women to help design his new office. He wrote, “I have the opportunity to design my office from scratch. I’m asking women “How would you design/optimize a visit to the gynecologist’s office?” Here are some of the responses:
– Scales shouldn’t be in public locations in the office. Another advised allowing patients to stand on the scale in a way so they don’t have to see their weight if they don’t want to. Several others stressed the importance of only taking weight if necessary and allowing patients to opt out.
– More diverse imagery around the office. One Twitter user remarked that she’s never seen pictures of Black women in any gynecologist’s office she’s visited.
– A signal to let health professionals know you’re done changing, to avoid uncomfortable interruptions.
– Warmers on the stirrups.
– Adjustable thermostats in patient rooms.
– Buy equipment and gowns in the largest sizes.
– Ceiling lifts for people with disabilities who can’t get on exam tables by themselves.
– Put away unnecessary instruments and models that can be triggering for patients.
– Multiple waiting rooms. For patients struggling with infertility, waiting for extended periods next to new babies and expecting moms can be “excruciating.”
– Pay attention to the angle of exam beds. Don’t point it toward the door.
* Is nuking the office from space an option?
* How about leaving all lights off all the time?
* Bottomless mimosas in the waiting room?
* Also, the doctor should never come in humming “Your Body Is a Wonderland” or “Welcome to the Jungle.”
* And stop wearing that stupid miner’s helmet.
* And no posters of the Grand Canyon on the ceiling.
* PHONE TOPIC: Ladies, how many of these do you agree with. Any other suggestions?