Perceptions of Fertility Physicians Treating Women Undergoing IVF Using an Egg Donation

Abstract

In the course of their work, medical teams are routinely exposed to difficult and stressful situations. The few studies in the literature that have examined physicians’ perceptions and responses to such situations have focused primarily on the fields of emergency medicine and chronic and terminal illness. However, the field of fertility medicine can also evoke complex feelings among physicians. The present qualitative study examined the perceptions of fertility physicians treating women undergoing egg donation. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 fertility physicians, and a categorical analysis was performed. The main category to emerge was the physicians’ perception of egg donation and its implications. Two prominent themes were identified within this category: doctor–patient communication surrounding egg donation and how the idea was presented to the patient; and doctors’ perception of the implications of egg donation, including maternal identity, the relationship between mother and infant, and the mother’s sense of the child’s identity. This is the first study to consider the response to fertility treatments, a contemporary and sensitive topic, from the perspective of the physicians. The findings can contribute to physicians’ understanding of themselves and can help to devise ways to assist them in managing their emotional responses to their work for the benefit of both themselves and their patients.

Editorial: Health and Well-Being Related to New Family Forms: Perspectives of Adults, Couples, Children, and Professionals

“…Ben-Kimhy and Taubman-Ben-Ari [ 49 ] present findings from a qualitative study investigating the perceptions of fertility physicians assisting women undergoing egg donation. All the physicians in this innovative study believed that egg donation is an excellent solution for women with infertility problems, while ignoring the potentially negative implications of the procedure.…”

Introducing the Hungarian Version of the SCREENIVF Tool into the Clinical Routine Screening of Emotional Maladjustment

“…However, there is no doubt about its public health significance and the importance of its clinical management [ 14 ]. The need for infertility medical care is notable [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], although only 56–59% of the couples seek medical help for fertility problems and demand medical service after experiencing a 12-month delay in conception while not using contraception [ 4 , 15 , 16 ].…”