Infertility treatment carries lots of emotional and physical challenges for patients. It is our responsibility as professionals in the field to ensure patients feel safe and at ease before they start treatment. There are some useful resources for fertility health care providers to explore to better understand the psychosocial needs of patients. It is the responsibility of all staff in clinics to incorporate routine psychosocial care. If a patient is identified as at risk of developing and experiencing emotional distress, they should be referred to a mental health professional for more personalised care. This post aims to summarise the ESHRE guidelines for psychosocial care for patients before they start their treatment. Compliance with the guidelines and providing routine psychosocial care leads to reduced stress, improved lifestyle outcomes, increased knowledge, increased patient well-being and increased chances of sticking with treatment to completion.
In a fertility clinic, patients interact not only with their specialists but also with other staff members. Most of the time, their interactions with receptionists, nurses, admin staff and laboratory staff are more frequent than their specialist physician. Therefore, it is important for all staff members to treat patients in a safe, comfortable, non-judgemental environment. The pre-treatment period is crucial to ensure patients understand their treatment options, are comfortable proceeding with treatment and have developed trust with the staff. Many patients have stated that one of the reasons they choose not to start treatment is clinic-related problems, which can be avoided in many circumstances. It is important for fertility staff to provide preparatory information before the start of a treatment. Staff should support any lifestyle changes that are recommended for patients. Both partners should be involved and included in the diagnosis and treatment processes to reduce the burden on a single individual and to also meet the emotional needs of both partners.
Surveys have shown that patients appreciate staff members who are sensitive and empathetic. They want to have emotional support, specially those who are not sharing their infertility journey with any one else. The clinic becomes their only source of support and this needs to be taken seriously by all members of staff. Patients value attention, respect, courtesy, empathy and understanding from staff. Although these are common patient needs, staff should also be able to recognize specific personal needs of patients and tailor the way they provide care to match individual needs. Patients need to feel comfortable and not rushed so that they are able to feel confident in their choices for treatment. They should be given sufficient time for consultation and review appointments. In larger clinics, it is important to have a single contact person who is familiar with the course of treatment for each patient/couple allowing for better continuity of care. These are all reasonable recommendations which should be followed by clinics. Patients should feel comfortable to voice concerns and ask for additional support if needed.
Providing the best possible care from the first visit to the end of treatment by all staff members is crucial. It all starts with the first visit and it is our duty to ensure patients are happy with the care they receive. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
