Medical Disclaimer

Effective Date: [Date of publication] Last Updated: [Date of publication]

1. General Educational Purpose Only

The information provided on Gynawareness (the "Site"), including all written content, condition pages, patient guides, podcast episodes, videos, infographics, and the Find a Surgeon directory, is published by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, Inc. ("AAGL") for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or manage any medical condition.

2. Not Medical Advice; No Physician-Patient Relationship

Nothing on the Site constitutes medical advice, professional opinion, or a recommendation regarding any specific treatment, procedure, medication, device, product, or surgeon. Use of the Site does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and AAGL, between you and any contributor or author whose work appears on the Site, or between you and any podcast host, guest, or surgeon listed in our Find a Surgeon directory.

Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read, watched, or heard on the Site.

3. No Guarantee of Outcomes

Outcomes from gynecologic conditions and procedures vary significantly from patient to patient, depending on individual anatomy, medical history, comorbidities, provider, technique, and other factors. The Site may describe experiences, statistics, ranges, or expected results based on published literature and clinical practice, but no result is guaranteed, and any statistics or examples cited should not be interpreted as predictive of your individual outcome. Past experience of any patient described on the Site does not predict the experience of any other patient.

4. Jurisdiction and Scope of Practice

Standards of care, available procedures, regulatory approvals, licensure requirements, insurance coverage, and laws governing healthcare vary by country, state, and province. Information on the Site reflects general practice patterns and may not reflect the standard of care, available options, legal requirements, or approved indications in your jurisdiction. Information should not be relied upon outside the United States without consultation with a qualified local provider, and even within the United States may not reflect current or accepted practice in your state.

5. Find a Surgeon Directory

The Find a Surgeon directory lists members of AAGL who have elected to be listed. AAGL is not a referral service and does not recommend, endorse, or vouch for any listed surgeon. AAGL makes no representation regarding the competence, credentials, licensure, board certification, malpractice history, training, outcomes, fees, insurance acceptance, or availability of any listed surgeon. Inclusion in the directory does not constitute a referral, an endorsement, or a guarantee of quality.

You are responsible for independently verifying a surgeon's credentials, license status, board certification, hospital privileges, malpractice history, and suitability for your specific medical needs. Helpful starting points include your state medical board, the relevant specialty certification body, and your insurance carrier.

Any communication or relationship you initiate with a surgeon from the directory is solely between you and that surgeon. AAGL has no role in that relationship and is not responsible for any aspect of the care provided.

6. Podcast and Patient Stories

Podcast episodes and patient stories shared on the Site reflect the personal experience and opinions of the speakers. They do not represent the position of AAGL and are not medical advice. Individual experiences are not predictive of, and should not be relied upon as a guide to, the experience or outcome of any other patient.

7. Third-Party Content and Links

The Site may reference or link to third-party content, including clinical literature, professional society guidelines, surgeon practice websites, and external resources. AAGL does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of third-party material. Linked content is not a recommendation or endorsement.

8. Emergencies

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not use the Site for emergency medical needs.

9. Currency of Information

Medicine evolves. Information published on the Site reflects the understanding of contributors at the time of publication and may not reflect the most current evidence, guidelines, or practice. AAGL does not undertake to update all content as new information becomes available, although we strive to review and refresh content periodically.

10. No Endorsement of Products or Devices

References on the Site to medications, devices, procedures, or commercial products are for educational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee. AAGL is not responsible for the safety, efficacy, regulatory status, or availability of any product or device described.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, AAGL and its officers, directors, employees, members, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses arising from your reliance on information provided on the Site, your interaction with any surgeon listed in our directory, or any decision you make based on Site content. Additional limitations are described in the Site's Terms of Use.

12. Acknowledgment

By using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Medical Disclaimer, our Terms of Use, and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you should not use the Site.

13. Contact

Questions regarding this disclaimer may be directed to:

AAGL [AAGL HQ address] Email: [general contact, e.g., info@aagl.org] Phone: [AAGL phone]