Sevann Helo, MD, discusses setting patient boundaries

At the 26th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America in Grapevine, Texas, Sevann Helo, MD, delivered a talk on setting patient boundaries.

In an interview with Urology Times®, Helo outlined the key points from this discussion as well as some common boundary challenges that urologists and APPs face in clinical practice. She also offered advice to early-career urologists or trainees who are still learning how to set and maintain patient boundaries. 

Helo is a urologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

"I really believe it's up to us as providers to set the tone for every visit," Helo explained. "It sets a professional space for us to work within. And I think to do that we need to define boundaries very clearly with patients early on."

This is particularly important in urology, as discussions often center around sensitive topics.

"Some of these issues can be emotionally charged and emotions can run high at those appointments, especially if we're unable to meet a patient's expectations in terms of their care," she said.

For young urologists and trainees, Helo emphasized the importance of "protecting the joy that led you to this career in the first place."