PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF INFERTILITY

The objective of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with th e investigation and initial management of infertility, A postal questi onnaire survey was carried out of 1366 women attending outpatient clin ics for the investigation and initial management of infertility at 12 hospitals throughout Scotland, The response rate to the questionnaire was 59% (806/1366), Overall, 87% of responders were satisfied or very satisfied with their care but a number of deficiencies were identified , Thirty-nine per cent had never been asked to bring their partner to the clinic and 86% felt they had not been given enough help with the e motional aspects of infertility, Forty-seven per cent felt they were n ot given a clear plan for the future and 23% of those who had been giv en drug treatments reported receiving little or no information about t he treatment or possible side-effects. Overall, only a third had been given any written information and 78% expressed a Wish for more writte n information. Women ranked 'the information and explanation given' an d the 'attitude of the doctor at the clinic' highly in comparison to o ther aspects of their care, including 'help with the emotional aspects of infertility', In general women were satisfied with their care but improvements may be made by giving more explanation and written inform ation and by adopting a more couple-centred approach. Where resources allow, clinics should take steps to address the emotional aspects of i nfertility.