Intimacy in Medicine

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, a board-certified OBGYN and intimacy coach based in New York. They talk about women’s sexual and reproductive health, as well as intimacy in relationships.   [00:50] Introducing Dr. Sadaf Lodhi [01:36] How to Match into OBGYN [03:20] Why OBGYN?  [05:22] Intimacy Coaching and Sexual Health [10:30] Maintaining Intimacy in Relationships [14:25] Trust and Communication with Patients [21:02] What Dr. Lodhi Would Change About Healthcare OBGYN, Sex Education, and Intimacy Coaching Dr. Lodhi chose to specialize in OBGYN because it combines medicine and surgery, both of which she thoroughly enjoys. As a physician, she noticed that her patients had concerns about sex, but felt ill-equipped to answer their questions. This led her to become an intimacy coach so she could learn more about sexual and reproductive health. With her training as an OBGYN and intimacy coach, she can educate more women and empower them to make informed choices about their bodies. Promoting Intimacy in Relationships with a Busy Schedule As physicians and students, we devote most of our hours to medicine. But even with busy schedules, we should make time for our relationships. Set a date with your spouse, relative, or friend and be present when you are together. Put away your phone and focus on bonding with the other person. You don’t have to do anything grand, a simple activity shared between the two of you can help you feel connected.  Building Trust in Doctor Patient Relationships Trust starts with honesty. Always be open and forthcoming when talking to patients. You don’t have to be on-call, but establishing an open line of communication can make patients feel like they can rely on you. Listen and validate their experience so they feel seen and heard. A lot of patients report medical gaslighting or feeling dismissed by their healthcare providers. Instead of judging them, take the time to understand and be your patients’ advocate.    You can reach Dr. Sadaf Lodhi through her Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. To learn more about intimacy and reproductive health, visit drsadaf.com/.   To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor. You can also reach us through our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MedSchoolCoach Dr. Erkeda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctordgram/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ProspectiveDoctor