Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
What kind of care and support do infertile women undergoing fertility treatment in Greece expect? A questionnaire survey
K. Lykeridou 1, K. Gourounti 1, 2, A. Sarantaki 1, Z. Roupa 3, G. Iatrakis 1,*
, S. Zervoudis 5, G. Vaslamatzis 4
, S. Zervoudis 5, G. Vaslamatzis 4Affiliations
Article Info
1 Department of Midwifery, Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Athens, Athens
2 Elena Venizelou Hospital, Athens
3 Department of Nursing, TEI of Larisa, Larisa
4 Medical School, University of Athens, Eginitio Hospital, Athens
5 Lito Maternity Hospital, Department of Mastology, Athens (Greece)
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.
Keywords
- Expectations
- Infertility
- In vitro fertilization
- Psychosocial services