Continuing Physician Education
Seen Through The Eyes Of A Fibroid Support Group

 By:  Mike and Hope Waltman 

AAGL Meeting  

November 6-9, 2006, Hope For Fibroids, Inc. attended the 2007 AAGL Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The meeting was a perfect opportunity for the Uterine Fibroid Support Group to view the physicians continuing education program.   

Opening Ceremony 

At the Opening Ceremony the winning medical articles were announced and awards were presented to the authors of the articles.  It was an exciting moment when we were finally able to see the physicians whose medical articles we relied on to help us with our fibroid research. 

(Hope and Dr. William Parker at the Opening Ceremony)

Tools and Practice  

The Industry displays, that were located in the AAGL Exhibit Room, were a great educational source to present the new devices and techniques for fibroids.

(Entrance to Exhibit and Seminar Rooms)

It was really neat to watch the doctors working with the laparoscopic equipment.  Mike, Hope For Fibroids Vice President, was emotionally moved when he saw the doctors performing laparoscopic procedures using the practice machines that were set-up in the vendor’s booths. Thanks to the Gyn technique being available to men in 1994 Mike had one of the earlier laparoscopic procedures performed on his 2 4-inch hernias.  At that time he was patient number 35 for the doctor in Pennsylvania who performed it; and the estimated durability length of the surgery at that time was 10 years. The three (3) small 1-inch incision scars and occasional feelings from the mesh and staples are the only reminders Mike has of the procedure.

Another thing that took us by surprise was seeing the excitement and interest on the doctor’s faces as they visited the exhibits and vendor booths.  Many of them were checking to see what new devices were available (smaller blades, less smoke coming from the device, less changing the devices during surgery were some of the issues that were addressed).   Many booths had mini conference areas, which the vendors used to give an overview of the device to a huge crowd of physicians.  

Everyday lectures were scheduled in the seminar rooms and many of the physicians conducted the training on endometriosis, incontinence, pelvic pain issues, fibroids, adhesions, ovary preservation during hysterectomy surgery, Da vinci robotic myomectomy surgery, ExAblate live procedures, and other gynecological issues, equipment, and techniques. 

Video and Interviews  

Hope For Fibroids had the great pleasure of meeting several of the OBGYN.net Fibroid Forum Heroes.  One of the scheduled Forum events was having the OBGYN.net professional team tape the doctor’s interviews.  Paul Indman, MD, Los Gatos Gynecologist, was one of the very busy interviewers.  Each of the doctors had a particular message they wanted to express to the women and families, and we hope our members will find the information helpful to their research. 

(Dr. Paul Indman and Hope)

Closing Remarks  

The entire AAGL experience has taught this support group that there are educational opportunities available to all physicians to help them continue their education on how to perform new medical procedures.  It also showed us that the statement, “Not all doctors are the same with experience, expertise, and training” is VERY true!  A patient who is searching for the right procedure for her specific case should keep this in mind as she researches uterine fibroid information.  There are so many new technology advances in the medical field that radical major surgery may not be necessary. 

Some patient questions that we noticed were prevalent during our conversations with the doctors at the AAGL meeting.  

1. How long has the surgical group worked together?
2. What do I want this procedure to do for ME?  What percentage of fibroid symptom relief and/or fibroid shrinking am I looking for?
3. Do I want to protect my fertility?  If yes, what doctors should I have a consultation with to discuss a medical treatment plan BEFORE treatment(s) - (OB/GYN, Infertility Specialist, Interventional Radiologist)?
4. Is it an issue of time away from work and everyday activities?
5. Do you want to have the uterus removed? 
6. What about the preservation of the ovaries? 
7. Do you have concerns about premature menopause? 
8. Are you confused about hormone changes and possible therapies?
9. Sexual loss or pleasure issues?
10. Which procedures would you try in order to prevent or delay hysterectomy surgery?
11. Will using a drug therapy stop me from having a particular fibroid procedure? 
12. Incontinence and pelvic prolapse concerns after a procedure?

In conclusion, ladies please remember the uterine fibroids belong to YOU!  Be an active PARTNER with your doctor(s) and family members as you go through the decision process. 

Ovary preservation | ExAblate procedure 
Robotic Myomectomy

Authors Note:  The AAGL meeting covered an enormous amount of gynecological subjects.  To find more of the 2007 AAGL Conference topics, photos, and seminar information please refer to www.obgyn.net.