Ep. 8 | The Role of Social Media and Infertility Treatment

Fertility Health Podcast

Today’s infertility patients are more informed, empowered, and have more choice than ever before. 77% of patients search their physician online before booking an appointment, and almost three quarters (72%) of patients use online reviews as the very first step to finding a new doctor.

Social media has become a go-to source of information, particularly where infertility patients are concerned. There is a lot of empowering and useful information on social media, but misleading and inaccurate data exist online as well. How do you know when a reproductive endocrinologist is telling the whole truth, and how can you spot a potential conflict of interest?

When selecting an infertility clinic, patients want accessibility and connection with the clinics they choose, over and above excellent care. Many clinics near you may be honest, trustworthy, and genuinely care about the patient. So what sets one apart from the rest?

In this episode, Kenan Omurtag, M.D., associate professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine, OBGYN department, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss the role of social media and online reviews when choosing an infertility clinic, the status of social media today, and where it may be headed in the future.

Tune in to discover:

• The value of social media for infertility clinics and patients
• Red flags you should be aware of on social media and how to deal with them
• Tips to help you determine potential conflicts of interest
• Which factors carry the most weight for patients when deciding on an infertility specialist
• The top online portals to source fertility clinic information (see links below)

Notes:

www.sart.org

www.arsm.org (Reproductive Facts.Org)

www.resolve.org (emotional support)

About Kenan Omurtag, M.D.

Kenan Omurtag, MD is associate professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of OBGYN. He received his medical degree from the 6-year combined BA/MD program at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine and completed his residency in OBGYN at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and Fellowship at Washington University St Louis School of Medicine.

Dr. Omurtag completed his formal training at age 31 and became board-certified in 2015, making him one of the youngest board certified physicians in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Omurtag is a nationally-known scholar due to his research efforts focusing on three core fronts: male factor infertility, social media use among fertility clinics and their patients, and access to assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Dr. Omurtag is highly lauded by his patients as he works to help couples and individuals navigate the highs and lows of the short, or sometimes long, journey to parenthood. Along with the fertility treatments he can offer, Dr. Omurtag believes in the power of compassion, advocacy and the most innovative technology and resources to help people become parents.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director