CARE OF THE YOUNGER PATIENT – THE METHOD CHOSEN (INTRODUCTION)

The COC is the most common form of contraception chosen by the younger patient. In view of this, it merits most attention in this chapter. The doctor looking after this age group has a unique opportunity to get it right at the first consultation as regards absolute and relative contraindications and risk factors. At the same time the first consultation should allow the equally important input from the patient. History-taking may be tedious but gives both patient and doctor time to get used to each other. The doctor certainly becomes aware of the patient’s attitudes and no doubt the patient forms an opinion about the doctor during this interchange. In the end it is the young person’s perception of the doctor which determines whether the consultation will be useful. The doctor may become aware that thoughts or feelings about the patient are unusual, and this can lead to a study of the doctor-patient relationship which may throw some light on the patient’s problems.

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