Ethics and society: Review of the organized support network for infertility patients in licensed units in the UK

Abstract

In acknowledging that 'counselling is generally recognized as beneficial', the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice requires that all infertility units provide counselling facilities to be available for patients. In this study, we intended to evaluate the support and counselling services made available by the licensed units in the UK. A questionnaire consisting of 30 questions was designed and sent to every licensed treatment unit in the UK. The data were coded on a nominal scale and, using a data entry program, loaded onto a computer. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program, a non-parametric frequency analysis was performed. Associations were examined with cross-tabulations and chi 2 analysis. A total of 62 units (61.4%) responded to the questionnaire, from both the private and National Health Service sectors. Of these, 95% have their own counsellor, most of whom (84%) practised on the premises. One-third of these counsellors had a dual role, mainly as nurses, social workers or in administration; 98.6% were trained in counselling, with only 28% having either the Certificate or Diploma in Counselling. One-third (32.2%) of centres charged for counselling, with only 13 units indicating their charges. The majority of centres (78.8%) do not actively follow-up patients after counselling and one-quarter (25.5%) did not have a specific counselling room. Over two-thirds (68.4%) of centres described their support network as adequate. The results of this survey suggest that, although the requirements of the HFEA Code of Practice are being adhered to reasonably well, overall patient uptake of counselling is low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Addressing the needs of fertility treatment patients and their partners: are they informed of and do they receive mental health services?

“…These results are consistent with past research from the U.K. (7,17). Also, as seen in past research, distressed patients were more likely than nondistressed patients to receive MHS (30).…”

“…Since then, many additional studies have revealed high rates of psychologic distress in fertility treatment patients (3)(4)(5)(6). The need for help with the emotional aspects of infertility has been endorsed by professional groups, government authorities, and patients themselves (7)(8)(9)(10). Benefits of MHS for fertility treatment patients have been demonstrated.…”

“…Specifically, in a multicenter study of fertility patients in Scotland, Souter et al reported that only 14% of patients said they had been offered MHS, though 57% thought they would use MHS if offered to them (21). Regarding actual MHS use, Hernon et al surveyed fertility clinics in the U.K. and reported that fewer than 25% of patients used MHS (7). In a study focusing on one U.K. fertility clinic, Boivin et al showed that only 8.5% of women and 6.1% of men currently in treatment reported having used MHS (17).…”

A hierarchy of needs? Embryo donation, in vitro fertilisation and the provision of infertility counselling

“…Counselling has received recognition for its role in the assisted conception technique process [4,10–13] and those using the techniques are thought to be in favour of counselling [5,14,15]. Yet, during recent Parliamentary discussions, it was suggested that the utilization of counselling can vary between 2% and 40% [16], which concurs with studies conducted in clinics in the UK [17]. A number of factors are thought to influence whether people access counselling or not, such as the timing of it [3,14,18,19]; the perception of the techniques [20,21]; and the relationship between clinicians and counsellors within clinics [16,22,23].…”

Psychosomatic aspects of the infertility treatment with the in vitro fertlization method

“…Human Fertilization and Embriology Authority (HFEA) recommend sociopsychological consultation for patients undergoing IVF. However, the system of psychological help to females involved in IVF is still underdeveloped [9,13].…”