Assessment of Patients Seeking Tubal Sterilization on Psychosocial Grounds

An interviewing method aimed at the practicing gynecologist when dealing with a patient requesting tubal sterilization on psychosocial grounds is described. The rationale, method and content of the interview are elaborated. The results of the method, employed with a small series of patients, are presented. The need for flexibility is emphasized, and the impossibility of relying on a numbers rule in coming to a decision beneficial to the women involved is underscored.