THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNSELLING – STERILIZATION PROBLEM
It is clear from all the literature on sterilization that there is a general consensus that counselling before the operation is seen as an important part of the process. Methods are suggested and contraindications to sterilization are listed (Elias, 1991). It is also clear that in many situations counselling in any true sense of the word is honoured in its absence. Perhaps this is because there is a feeling that it will be impossible to elicit any information that the patient is unwilling to share at interview.
Several members of the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine have studied aspects of counselling for sterilization and have discussed their findings. A summary is to be found in Tunnadine (1982). This author identified guidelines which include the fact that the couple seeking sterilization should have a good relationship and sex life, that both partners should wish for the procedure and that their expectations should be realistic. This group of widely experienced doctors emphasized the dangers of performing a sterilization at a time of emotional crisis. On occasions, considerable expertise may be needed on the part of the counsellor to avoid this. Their skills can be developed during seminar training organized by the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine.
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