Effect of a web-based fertility preservation training program for medical professionals in Japan

Masanori Ono; Miyuki Harada; Akihito Horie; Yidan Dai; Itsuko Horiguchi; Eiji Kikuchi; Fuminori Kimura; Tomoe Koizumi; Mitsuru Komeya; Naoki Mizunuma; Kumiko Oseto; Kuniaki Ota; Chikako Shimizu; Kohei Sugimoto; Seido Takae; Emi Takeuchi; Hirotaka Nishi; Yasushi Yumura; Tatsuro Furui; Yasushi Takai; Ken-Ichirou Morishige; Chie Watanabe; Yutaka Osuga; Nao Suzuki

doi:10.1007/s10147-023-02366-2

Effect of a web-based fertility preservation training program for medical professionals in Japan

Int J Clin Oncol. 2023 Sep;28(9):1112-1120. doi: 10.1007/s10147-023-02366-2. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Authors

Masanori Ono¹, Miyuki Harada², Akihito Horie³, Yidan Dai⁴, Itsuko Horiguchi⁵, Eiji Kikuchi⁶, Fuminori Kimura⁷, Tomoe Koizumi⁸, Mitsuru Komeya⁹, Naoki Mizunuma^{10

11}, Kumiko Oseto¹², Kuniaki Ota¹³, Chikako Shimizu¹⁴, Kohei Sugimoto⁸, Seido Takae¹⁵, Emi Takeuchi¹⁶, Hirotaka Nishi⁴, Yasushi Yumura⁹, Tatsuro Furui¹⁷, Yasushi Takai¹⁸, Ken-Ichirou Morishige¹⁹, Chie Watanabe²⁰, Yutaka Osuga², Nao Suzuki¹⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan. masanori@tokyo-med.ac.jp.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
³ Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
⁵ The Support Center for Clinical Pharmacy Education and Research, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan.
⁶ Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan.
⁷ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan.
⁸ Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minamikoshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama, 343-0845, Japan.
⁹ Reproduction Center, Medical Center, Yokohama City University, Urafune Cho 4-57, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan.
¹⁰ Tokyo Kagurazaka Law Office, 2-12-1-401 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0825, Japan.
¹¹ Department of Legal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-0015, Japan.
¹² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kawasumi Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8602, Japan.
¹³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Labour Health and Safety Organization, Tokyo Rosai Hospital, 4-13-21 Ohmoriminami, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-0013, Japan.
¹⁴ Department of Oncology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
¹⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan.
¹⁶ Department of Consultation, Counseling and Support Service Center, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
¹⁷ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu-shi, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
¹⁸ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama, 350-8550, Japan.
¹⁹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka General Medical Center, 3-1-56 Mandaihigashi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8558, Japan.
²⁰ Department of Nursing School of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.

PMID: 37322221
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-023-02366-2

Abstract

Background: Our web-based training program called "Educating Medical Professionals about Reproductive Issues in Cancer Healthcare" aims to help healthcare professionals communicate promptly with patients and survivors who are adolescents and young adults, with information pertinent to reproductive health issues such as the risk of infertility and fertility preservation.

Methods: The study participants were professional healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, genetic counselors, and dieticians. Pre- and post- and 3-month follow-up tests consisting of 41 questions were administered to measure changes in knowledge and confidence. The participants also received a follow-up survey that covered confidence, communication techniques, and practice habits. A total of 820 healthcare providers participated in this program.

Results: The mean total score from the pre-test to the post-test grew significantly (p < 0.01), and participants' self-confidence increased. In addition, there was a change in the behavior of healthcare providers, who began asking about patients' marital status and parity.

Conclusion: Our web-based fertility preservation training program improved knowledge and self-confidence regarding fertility preservation issues among healthcare providers caring for adolescents and young adult cancer patients and survivors.

Keywords: AYA; Cancer; Education; Fertility preservation; Oncology; Reproduction.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Female
Fertility Preservation* / methods
Humans
Internet
Japan
Neoplasms* / therapy
Physicians*
Pregnancy
Young Adult

Grants and funding

JPMH20EA1004/MHLW Research for Promotion of Cancer Control Program