How to starve patriarchal clinical/sexual health care | Ariel Watriss | TEDxTufts

TL;DR

Nurse practitioner Ariel Watrous shares the need for trauma-informed care in clinical settings, focusing on sexual and reproductive health, to empower patients and disrupt harmful systems.

Transcript

foreign [Applause] thank you hey everyone my name is Ariel Watrous I use any pronouns and I'm a nurse practitioner here at Tufts University I'm a sexual health specialist for this campus and as of this coming summer I'll have been working in college health for 10 years but I'm tired I'm tired of being angry I need to be very clear I'm not angry abo... Read More

Key Insights

• 😨 Trauma-informed care in clinical settings can greatly benefit patients, especially in areas such as sexual and reproductive health.
• 😨 Patient empowerment and clear communication between providers and patients are crucial for safe and effective care.
• 😨 Antiquated clinical guidelines and practices can perpetuate fear, misinformation, and stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health.
• 🥳 Pelvic exams and pap smears are not required for birth control and should be based on individual needs, while STI testing should be tailored to specific sexual history and contact.
• 😷 Patients should feel empowered to ask questions, seek clarification, and challenge harmful practices in clinical settings.
• 🤗 Nuanced and open conversations about sexual health are necessary to ensure personalized and effective care.
• 😨 The current healthcare system still has room for improvement in providing safe, empowering, and trauma-informed care.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is trauma-informed care in a clinical setting?

Trauma-informed care recognizes that many patients may have experienced trauma and approaches their care with caution, focusing on patient consent and building trust.

Q: How can patients advocate for themselves during clinical care?

Patients can request providers to be explicitly clear about procedures, ask for step-by-step explanations, request a support person, and challenge unsolicited opinions or unnecessary procedures.

Q: Are pelvic exams and pap smears necessary for all individuals?

Pelvic exams and pap smears are not required for birth control and are not recommended as yearly tests. They should be based on individual needs and abnormal results.

Q: What should patients know about STI testing?

Testing should be linked to sexual history and contact, and different types of testing (urine, oral, genital, rectal) may be necessary. Results may be most accurate two weeks after sexual contact.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nurse practitioner Ariel Watrous emphasizes the need for patient empowerment and safety in clinical care, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health.

• Watrous shares her own experience witnessing trauma-informed care in practice, which shaped her approach as a nurse practitioner.

• She provides tips for patients to advocate for themselves and ensure clear communication with providers during procedures and examinations.