Dr. Kimberly Hoover, a board-certified OB-GYN and co-author of the new ACOG guidance said that there’s a critical need to improve pain management practices within women’s health. This program is a direct answer to the increasing sentiment around patient experiences during routine procedures, including Intrauterine Device (IUD) placements.
The ACOG guidance directly responds to the anxiety that most patients experience over pain from gynecological procedures. Given her expertise in OB-GYN, research, policy, and advocacy, Dr. Hoover is perfectly suited to help usher in a more compassionate revolution in patient care. Her experience is emblematic of a growing movement in the medical community to improve patient satisfaction and trust.
Genevieve Hofmann, a women’s health nurse practitioner, described the common occurrence of patient fears of procedures such as IUD placement. She stated, “As a women’s health nurse practitioner, I treat patients every day who express anxiety about pain related to common procedures like IUD placement.”
Hofmann further highlighted the importance of acknowledging patients’ pain, stating, “Unfortunately, many patients feel their pain has been diminished or dismissed by their clinicians, which data shows can lead to patient dissatisfaction and distrust.” This mood highlights the need for a dramatic change in clinician perception and approach to pain management.
Dr. Hoover supports intensive therapy as a key pillar of treatment. She remarked, “Comprehensive counseling is key because patients must be able to decide for themselves what interventions, if any, they would like to try.” This patient-centered approach not only empowers patients but helps to make them informed, engaged participants in their healthcare decisions.
The ACOG guidance is an important step towards providing unambiguous guidance for clinicians. It encourages, not discourages, our healthcare providers to treat pain effectively and improve the quality of life of their patients. The guidance aims to create an environment where patients feel heard and respected, particularly regarding their discomfort during medical procedures.
In parallel with these advances, a certain stock photo has begun to make the rounds, showing a physician holding an IUD device. This photo is a good example of the types of procedures outlined in the ACOG guidance. The stock photo used was with the image ID e1d99b33-b2b3-49df-95aa-5bfa1553f115. It’s a great reminder of why we need to have these informed conversations about all the different birth control methods that are available.
