Checking the marital status of a patient and inquiring, especially if it is their first treatment, whether their partner has been briefed on the upcoming procedures is essential. This step is particularly crucial because some partners can have strong negative opinions about these procedures, especially regarding their costs. Building rapport with the patient allows you to better understand their situation and whether their partner might be one of those individuals who harbour negative views.
In such cases, it is often beneficial to offer encouragement to the patient and emphasise that partners and friends can have both negative and positive opinions. However, it is important to stress that the decision to undergo these procedures should ultimately be for the individual’s satisfaction and well-being. Additionally, preparing the patient for potential side effects like swelling and explaining that such effects are normal can help manage their expectations and alleviate concerns.
