Support needs that infertile patients require of physicians and nurses working in a reproductive

medicine setting: patients’ point of view

Abstract

Support that infertile patients want from physicians and nurses working in a reproductive medicine setting: patients’ point of view Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the support that patients want from physicians and nurses in an infertility treatment setting. Methods: Thirty-four women who were currently undergoing or had previously undergone infertility treatment were recruited by snow-bowl sampling for participation in this survey. Descriptive data were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Analysis revealed four categories of support that patients would like to receive from physicians: “pursuit of treatments that are suitable for the individual patient”, “informed consent with sufficient and understandable information”, “collaborative leadership and professional doctor-patient communication”, and “empathetic attitude during consultation”. Regarding behaviors that patients wanted nurses to demonstrate, four categories emerged: “considerate and warm attitude”, “psychological support with an open and empathic attitude”, “support and facilitate communication between the physician and patient”, and “ensure that sufficient explanations and advice about medical procedures are provided”. Conclusion: Our study identified the types of support that patients want from physicians and nurses in an infertility treatment setting. Application of these results in clinical practice could contribute to infertile patients’ psychological well-being.