In the United Kingdom the provision of vasectomy service differs according to the geographical locations within the country. Regarding the interview that occurs prior to the vasectomy operation, 3 areas of concern must be covered: information regarding the nature of the operation and its effects must be conveyed to the client; the doctor must feel confident that he/she can recommend the couple to the surgeon performing the operation; and helping the couple to explore personel feelings and experiences about birth control and providing information on all possible choices. Although the latter aspect -- counseling -- is probably the most important, it is usually the least explored. The reason for this is inherent to the procedure through which a vasectomy is currently obtained. The couple regard the interview as a situation where the doctor will either allow or refuse the operation. Conflicts may arise if the family planning doctor simultaneously tries to play both medical and counseling roles. Further confusion arises between the screening and counseling aspects of the prevasectomy interview. Vasectomy clinics have less rigid criteria than individual surgeons. A step that must be taken if vasectomy counseling is to be improved is to increase general awareness and acknowledgment of the combined goals of the preoperative interview.