MPS Issues Advice To Doctors Of Patients Who Have Had Elective Fertility Treatments Abroad, UK

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 01 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Some female patients are obtaining IVF medication abroad and then asking their GPs to administer it. MPS has received a number of calls from doctors who are unsure about how to deal with this situation as it is a relatively new phenomenon.

Case Scenario

A patient returned from Malaysia with an unidentifiable fertility treatment which she had brought back in an icebox. She had no letter of handover, discharge or a written explanation from the clinic in Malaysia, where it had been obtained. She consulted her GP asking for the treatment to be administered as an intra muscular injection.

Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medicolegal Adviser said: "When providing support to a couple who have undergone IVF treatment, either in the UK or abroad, the GP must always act in the best interest of their patients.

"GPs should consider whether this falls within their area of expertise, and if the GP has any concerns they should consider referral for a specialist opinion. It would be most unwise to administer any drug unless you can be sure what it is, and that it is indicated in the correct dose and the right route."

MPS advises the following:

- Be prepared to justify your decision whether to assist the patient with the treatment or not

- Keep an accurate record of any discussions that have occurred, as this is relevant to the ongoing care you will provide

- The patient's care must not be prejudiced because of the fact that they have had treatment abroad

- You should realise that refusing treatment may be in the best interest of the patient

- Do not administer any drug to a patient if you can not be satisfied that doing so is in the patient's best interests

- Explain to the patient why you are unable to treat them and look into other options such as referral

http://www.medicalprotection.org