What kind of care and support do infertile women undergoing fertility treatment in Greece expect? A questionnaire survey

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2010;37(3):201-8.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify infertile women's expectations and perceived importance of professional psychosocial services and to identify the predictors of their expectations. The study included 404 infertile women. Most women sought more medical information and more emotional support than what was offered, mainly by the hospital staff. Less than half the women rated psychosocial services as important. The main predictors of the importance of ratings were high fertility-related stress, low provision of social support, low social class and male infertility factor. A provision for information regarding the medical and psychosocial aspects of infertility should be included in routine care in fertility clinics. Although it seems possible to meet the emotional and psychosocial needs of less distressed women through information and support, it is necessary to offer professional psychosocial services to more distressed women.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Counseling
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Infertility / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Social Class
  • Social Support*
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires