Patient satisfaction with the management of infertility

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with the investigation and initial management of infertility. A postal questionnaire survey was carried out of 1366 women attending outpatient clinics for the investigation and initial management of infertility at 12 hospitals throughout Scotland. The response rate to the questionnaire was 59% (806/1366). Overall, 87% of responders were satisfied or very satisfied with their care but a number of deficiencies were identified. Thirty-nine per cent had never been asked to bring their partner to the clinic and 86% felt they had not been given enough help with the emotional aspects of infertility. Forty-seven per cent felt they were not given a clear plan for the future and 23% of those who had been given drug treatments reported receiving little or no information about the treatment or possible side-effects. Overall, only a third had been given any written information and 78% expressed a wish for more written information. Women ranked 'the information and explanation given' and the 'attitude of the doctor at the clinic' highly in comparison to other aspects of their care, including 'help with the emotional aspects of infertility'. In general women were satisfied with their care but improvements may be made by giving more explanation and written information and by adopting a more couple-centred approach. Where resources allow, clinics should take steps to address the emotional aspects of infertility.

Organizational determinants of patient-centered fertility care: a multilevel analysis

“…Six of the 30 background questions were selected for case-mix adjustment, based on their demonstrated or expected effect on patients' perception of fertility care (7,9,10,12,17,30). Included determinants were age and level of education (demographics); and previous medical history, infertility diagnosis, current treatment, and achieved pregnancy (patient medical characteristics).…”

“…For instance, patients receive insufficient information about emotional aspects of infertility (7)(8)(9)(10)(11) and (long-term) health risks (8,11,12). Furthermore, patients have problems with the large number of physicians involved in their treatment (10,11,13) and the long waiting times for investigations and treatment (10,13,14).…”

Should a patient's own IVF physician perform the embryo transfer?

“…Addressing the emotional aspects of fertility is an essential part of care for our patients [7] as infertile women have been shown to have increased anxiety and depression when compared to fertile controls [8]. Patients also tend to feel a loss of control as they progress through their fertility treatment [9], and not having their own IVF physician with whom they originally formed a relationship at the beginning of their care present at the time of embryo transfer can be disconcerting.…”

Exploring the needs and expectations of women presenting for hysterosalpingogram examination following a period of subfertility: a qualitative study

“…All of the studies focused around the emotions of patients or their satisfaction level with the total package of infertility treatment including IVF. (Souter, Penney, Hopton & Templeton 1998) (Oddens, Tonkelaar & Niewenhuyse.1999). Oddens study found that infertility as a 'life event' was seen as severe.…”