Traveling for Treatment Gets Easier

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It's tough enough to come to the realization that you need professional assistance to get pregnant. For couples who live far from their specialist, there are additional burdens related to the distance.

Treatment cycles require accurately timed appointments, which can be inconvenient in the best of circumstances. When your chosen clinic is a day's drive away, there could be additional costs for travel and lodging. Some clinics are responding to their out-of-area patients' needs by extending a new helping hand - concierge service.

Most clinic concierge services are offered to patients who live significant distances, such as 50 miles or more, from the clinic offices. The benefits of each clinic's program vary, from direct consultation and coordination of treatment with patients' local physicians to specialized travel arrangements to free hotel stays.

Gary D'Orsi of Reproductive Science Center in Boston sums up the overall positive effects for patients using clinic concierge services: "For long-distance patients who use our concierge, the commute is no longer an issue. For example, they no longer need to feel pressured to go to another fertility center with poor success rates just because it is closer to them."

Another unique benefit of being able to stay overnight nearby was cited by Dr. Arthur Wisot of Reproductive Partners Medical Group in California. "We've had a small number of patients use our local hotel discounts when they want to avoid traveling on the Sabbath."

Patients who utilize the concierge program of Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area "have had nothing but positive comments" says JoAnne Brian. "They don't have to fight early morning or rush hour traffic, so they can relax before their procedures."

Concierge services that include a free night's stay at a local hotel are specific to the treatment need. For example, free stays may be available the nights before egg retrieval and embryo transfer, and in some cases, for new patient consults and following surgery for tubal reversal.

RPMG's program includes direct communication by phone and Internet between patient, specialist, and local physician in a coordinated effort to offer their services worldwide. The RPMG staff provides guidance to the patient's local doctor for monitoring of the initial preparation and stimulation phases, before the patient travels to RPMG offices for retrieval and transfer.

In addition to the travel-related and discounted cost convenience of these concierge services, the most beneficial impact on a patient's experience with fertility treatment may be stress reduction. There's a difference between driving for hours prior to a fertility procedure and walking next door after a leisurely morning.

"Patients who have an early morning procedure appear to be more relaxed," report D'Orsi. Studies continue to indicate there's a connection between stress and infertility, and between relaxation and fertility. Experts are always looking for additional services they can provide to enhance their patients' treatment experiences in an effort to optimize their chances at pregnancy. The number of clinics offering concierge services is growing. For now, you can get information on the helpful programs provided at:

Reproductive Science Center of Boston, 800-858-4832

Reproductive Science Center of the Bay Area, 925-973-5010

Reproductive Partners Medical Group, 877-2-REPRODUCE

See a fertility specialist now!