COVID-19 has fundamentally changed how we live. It’s changed how we work, how we travel, how we socialise and how we communicate.
And for many hopeful parents around the world, it has also changed their approach to fertility treatment.
There have been mixed messages for fertility patients ever since the outbreak swept over the globe in mid-March.
Then the Australian government made the decision to ban all non-urgent elective procedures on 25 March, taking the decision out of patients hands for a period of four weeks.
It’s been a confusing time for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
That’s why Genea, new creative agency The Misfits Media and Ward 6 have combined to create Baby Steps, an Australian first in market podcast series for healthcare professionals to support patients who might be struggling to have a baby.
“As the COVID-19 situation intensified, GP practices understandably stopped accepting our Medical Liaison teams along with other medical sales reps. We lost that connection with GPs as a vital channel to communicate treatment information. Producing this podcast is an important part of filling that gap but we also know it will form a new platform for our communications going forward as engagement with health professionals changes for the longer term,” Genea head of brand & marketing Nicole Papoutsis explained.
Over five episodes, the podcast explores a range of topics including infertility management during COVID-19, managing miscarriage, dealing with the emotional impact of infertility and giving a behind the scenes on what patients experience throughout the IVF process.
Baby Steps is hosted by Dr. Sam Hay.
Dr. Hay is a practising Australian GP and well-known media figure. He has hosted Amazing Medical Stories on Channel Nine and regularly appears on The Today Show and Studio 10.
He is also the resident doctor for the Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS and writes for Body and Soul as well as Kidspot.com.au.
“There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has made many people reconsider life and their plans, and it’s no different for couples trying to have a baby,” said Dr. Hay.
“In this podcast series, we’re talking about how best to support your patients who might be struggling to have a baby.”
Throughout the five episodes, Dr. Hay chats with a number of experts about fertility treatment in the age of COVID-19.
Genea’s deputy medical director and fertility specialist Dr. Mark Livingstone is the first guest.
You can listen to the podcast here.
