VASECTOMY COUNSELING

The following recommendations for counseling patients about vasectomy may help to minimize the risk of litigation for family physicians who provide vasectomy services: (1) conduct a personal consultation with t he patient; (2) discuss the impact of vasectomy on sexual function; (3 ) explain the procedure using diagrams during the office visit for the physical examination; (4) explain possible minor complications and ri sks, including the possibility of failure; (5) explain the need for a postoperative semen analysis and the need to use another contraceptive method for a while after vasectomy; (6) emphasize the permanence of t he procedure; (7) have the patient read and sign an informed consent f orm; (8) provide preoperative and postoperative instructions; (9) answ er questions and respond to concerns, and (10) telephone the patient t he day after the surgery.