BACKGROUNDChances of achieving parenthood are high for couples who undergo fertility treatment. However, many choose to discontinue before conceiving. A systematic review was conducted to investigate patients' stated reasons for and predictors of discontinuation at five fertility treatment stages.METHODSSix databases were systematically searched. Search-terms referred to fertility treatment and discontinuation. Studies reporting on patients' stated reasons for or predictors of treatment discontinuation were included. A list of all reasons for discontinuation presented in each study was made, different categories of reasons were defined and the percentage of selections of each category was calculated. For each predictor, it was noted how many studies investigated it and how many found a positive and/or negative association with discontinuation. RESULTSThe review included 22 studies that sampled 21 453 patients from eight countries. The most selected reasons for discontinuation were: postponement of treatment (39.18%, postponement of treatment or unknown 19.17%), physical and psychological burden (19.07%, psychological burden 14%, physical burden 6.32%), relational and personal problems (16.67%, personal reasons 9.27%, relational problems 8.83%), treatment rejection (13.23%) and organizational (11.68%) and clinic (7.71%) problems. Some reasons were common across stages (e.g. psychological burden). Others were stage-specific (e.g. treatment rejection during workup). None of the predictors reported were consistently associated with discontinuation.CONCLUSIONSMuch longitudinal and theory led research is required to explain discontinuation. Meanwhile, treatment burden should be addressed by better care organization and support for patients. Patients should be well informed, have the opportunity to discuss values and worries about treatment and receive advice to decide about continuing treatment.

Pre-existing psychological factors are independently related to treatment outcome in IVF/ICSI, and should therefore be taken into account in patient counselling. Psychological factors may be improved by intervention, whereas demographic and gynaecological factors cannot. Future studies should be directed towards underlying mechanisms involved and the role of evidence-based distress reduction in order to improve treatment results.

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Children, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) males with cancer are at an increased risk for infertility, if their treatment adversely impacts reproductive organ function. Future fertility is a primary concern of patients and their families. Variations in clinical practice are barriers to the timely implementation of fertility preserving interventions. The PanCareLIFE consortium in collaboration with the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG) reviewed the current literature and developed a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for fertility preservation in male CAYA cancer patients diagnosed before age 25 years, including guidance on risk assessment and available fertility preservation methods. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology was used to grade the evidence and recommendations. Recognizing the need for global consensus, this CPG used existing evidence and international expertise to develop transparent, easy-touse and rigorously-developed recommendations that can facilitate the care of CAYA males with cancer at risk of fertility impairment and enhance their quality of life.

The use of patient reported outcomes (PROs) in pediatric practice is effective in increasing discussion about emotional and psychosocial functioning. This finding forms the basis for implementing KLIK: a web-based program using electronic PROs (ePROs). The aim of this article is to describe the KLIK implementation in line with the 8 methodological recommendations composed by the International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL). (1) Goal of KLIK: to monitor and screen children (aged 0–18) with chronic illnesses over extended periods of time. (2) Children aged 8–18 complete the questionnaires themselves. Parents complete the questionnaires for young children. (3) The basis is a generic HRQOL questionnaire. Disease-specific HRQOL and psychosocial questionnaires are also available. (4) A web-based mode was selected. (5) The questionnaires in KLIK are available prior to a consultation. Pediatricians retrieve the ePROfile from the website (www.hetklikt.nu) and discuss it with the patients. The ePROfile consists of a literal representation of the answers and a graphic presentation. (6) Various tools are used to aid in its interpretation. (7) All members of the multidisciplinary team receive training in how to use the website and how to adequately respond to the patient’s ePROfile. (8) Improvements to and evaluation of KLIK are ongoing. Since implementation began, 17 patient groups, 160 professionals and >1,450 patients have started using KLIK. The implementation of KLIK appears to be feasible and workable. Many pediatricians have shown an interest in using KLIK and it is therefore being expanded and adapted for different patient groups and hospitals.