BackgroundThe issue of breaking bad news in assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been only partially explored by literature, and although some recommendations are available, specific guidelines are lacking. The present study aimed to explore the applicability of the oncologic SPIKES Protocol to the ART context.MethodsThirteen ART clinicians (7 gynecologists; 4 psychologists; 1 biologist; 1 obstetrician) completed the Critical Incidents Report (CIR) to describe the experience of delivering bad news in ART. The CIRs were first discussed with clinicians, then a focus group was created composed of 13 clinicians, one health communication expert and a patient to discuss the applicability of the six-step (SPIKES) Buckman Protocol to ART. The discussion was audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed with content analysis.ResultsThe SPIKES Protocol seems to fit ART consultations and participants found it practical and easy to understand. Some specificities were found for the ART context: the reiteration of bad news, the “patient” as a couple and the fact that ability to conceive is closely related to self-esteem, as well as to social and family identity. During the discussion of the SPIKES Protocol, participants highlighted the importance of: 1) providing a caring setting, by adding a reflection on the value of communication by phone; 2) exploring patients’ perceptions but also misinformation; 3) exploring patients’ desires and expectations, while balancing the need to be honest and clear; 4) applying Buckman’s suggestions for delivering information, and integrating clinical aspects with psychosocial ones; 5) managing and legitimizing patients’ emotions, in particular anger; 6) having a strategy for follow-up and supporting couples to make meaning of the ART experience.ConclusionThe proposal of a shared protocol for giving bad news in ART could be the starting point for training and experimental studies.

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Purpose To explore the association between patient-centered communication, patients' satisfaction, and retention in care in assisted reproductive technology (ART) visits. Methods ART visits at eight Italian clinics were videotaped and coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System, which includes a Patient-Centered Index (PCI), a summary Bpatient-centered communication^ratio. After the visit, patients completed a satisfaction questionnaire (SATQ). After 3 months, patients were asked about their retention in care. Spearman correlations and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test associations between the study variables; the open-ended item of SATQ was analyzed through content analysis.Results Eighty-five visits were videotaped (involving 28 gynecologists and 160 patients). PCI score (μ = 0.51 ± 0.28) revealed a more disease-oriented communication during the visit. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the visit and identified in the information provision or in the doctor's humanity or kindness the main reasons of satisfaction. At the follow-up, the majority of the couples declared to have followed the clinicians' recommendations and to have remained related to the ART center. No associations were found among the study variables, except for a lower male satisfaction among couples who declared to have changed ART clinic. Conclusions Contrary to what was expected, the style of physician-patient communication was not found to be associated with patient satisfaction and retention in care. However, patients were highly satisfied and engaged. The actual meaning of a communication that is Bpatient-centered^in the ART context might be wider, including the couples' need for information, as suggested by qualitative findings.