Group forum counselling for vasectomy: A consistent and cost-effective improvement in patient care

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to improve patient care pathways for vasectomy referrals by offering a group forum pre-operative education and consent process. This should prove more consistent and efficient than traditional outpatient appointments, resulting in a high standard of information provision, reduction in waiting times and cost savings. Subjects/patients and methods: All vasectomy referrals were offered a group counselling seminar with subsequent individual examination instead of a routine outpatient appointment. Patient satisfaction questionnaires were completed and analysed at the forum conclusion. Results: During the pilot, 38/40 patients opted for group-based counselling. Subsequent forums had provision to counsel, examine and consent 45 patients within one hour. Patient satisfaction survey scores were consistently high and 100% gave scores >8/10 in overall satisfaction. The wait from GP referral to consultation dropped by 61% from 23 to 9 weeks. Conclusions: There has been a significant reduction in waiting times to consultation and improved efficiency of care provision. Standardised quality information should minimise dissatisfaction and litigation based on poor pre-operative counselling. Satisfaction surveys indicate that there have been no detrimental effects to patient care. One-hour group clinical sessions are adaptable to flexible working hours which may feature increasingly within the NHS.