At the Annex Teen Clinic, we know that the idea of a medical procedure—like getting an IUD or an injection—can feel a little intimidating. This is particularly true for the many young people who come to our clinic for whom this is their very first medical procedure. Whether it’s “needle phobia” or nerves about pelvic exams, we are here to tell young people that their feelings are valid and that we are here to ensure they have as comfortable an experience as possible.
That’s why our clinical team has been working hard over the past year to provide patient-centered care by expanding our comfort toolkit. Our goal is simple: to reduce pain and anxiety while giving young people total control over their healthcare experience.
What is Patient-Centered Care?
To us, patient-centered care means that the patient is the expert and they know their body best. We are here to support, inform, and empower young people to take charge of their sexual health and make the best decisions for themselves. We want young people to walk out of their appointments feeling like they were heard and taken care of, not just “treated.”
Here is what some of our recent patients had to say after receiving care under this responsive model of care:
”The nurses were really attentive and I appreciated how they made sure to do things that made me feel comfortable.”
“I was nervous but Nurse Jade made me feel taken care of.”
New Tools for a Pain-Free Experience
We’ve added several tools to our comfort toolkit to help make clinic visits as smooth and painless as possible.
1. The Shot Blocker
If a young person is coming in for an injection (like the Depo-Provera shot or a vaccine), they can now have clinic staff use the Shot Blocker (pictured above). It’s a small, plastic tool with tiny bumps on the back. When pressed against the skin near an injection site, those bumps distract the nerves and reduce the perception of and pain related to the injection.
It works instantly—no numbing creams or waiting required—so young people will feel the “poke” significantly less!
2. Enhanced IUD & LARC Support
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), like IUDs, are great options for birth control, but the idea and process of insertion can be stressful for some of our patients. To help, we now offer:
- Pain Management: Options like Topical Lidocaine or an Intracervical Block to numb the area and make the process of insertion more comfortable.
- Your Vibe, Your Music: Young people can choose to play music during the procedure to help them relax.
- Support Systems: Young people are always welcome to bring a support person into the room to hold their hand or provide a distraction.
3. Little Comforts
Sometimes, it’s the little comforts and add ons that make the biggest difference in a patient’s experience. Throughout the duration of a clinc visit, our staff can provide:
- Fidget toys to provide comfort and grounding or to simply keep the hands busy.
- Hot packs or cold packs for comfort and to ease any pain around effected areas.
- Snacks and juice to keep patient’s energy up and tide them over while they are waiting.
Empowering Patients
Young people should never have to “just deal with” pain or anxiety. At the Annex, we want to ensure young people are empowered to ask for what they want and receive the highest standard of care. If there is something young people need to feel safer or more comfortable, they just need to let our team know and we do our best to accommodate. All of the options available in our comfort toolkit were added based on feedback from our patients.
Would you like to book an appointment? Give us a call or text at 763.533.1316 or visit our website to learn more about our services.
