Page 6 - Aspire Newsletter APRIL 2022 Vol 7 / Issue 2

PATIENT CENTRED CARE
Guide assists units in
providing patients with
positive experiences in
their treatment journey
ASPIRE represents experts in assisted reproduction in over 20 countries in the region and it is dedicated to advancing competencies in this field of science, medicine and nursing while improving access to and the provision of quality treatment for people striving to achieve parenthood.
It collaborates closely with other major international organisations including the European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) and the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand.
ASPIRE is pleased to endorse a newly-released patient care guide produced by the European Fertility Society for global circulation to improve the overall treatment experience for patients. The guide is designed to assist fertility clinics with practical guidelines for use in daily practice at every level of management.
A group of experts and former fertility patients from different countries produced two versions of the guide – a short version with highlights and recommendations, and an extended version corroborated by evidence-based literature.
It highlights the importance of patient-centred care in the context of assisted reproductive technology with information on how it can be implemented and monitored, and the value of it for patients, staff and clinics.
Dr Giuliana Baccino, coordinator of the Psychology and Counselling group of ESHRE and coordinator of the Guidance Development Group, said: “Patients compare clinics and discuss their treatment with others. They expect more than a good outcome. Indeed, they expect to have a positive experience throughout their fertility journey.”
The guide describes patient-centred care as being respectful of and responsive to the preferences,
needs and values of patients and those supporting them.
“There is strong evidence that patient- centred care has direct benefits on patients’ well being and that continuity of care reduces treatment concerns and improves treatment tolerability,” the guide states.
“Decreasing treatment-
related stress not only
has a positive impact on
patients but is also likely
to improve staff
wellbeing, job satisfaction, engagement and retention.”
Key chapters of the guide address issues including engaging men in fertility discussions, diet and lifestyle factors, emotional support for patients, identifying the needs of national and international patients, donor conception, digital communication technologies and artificial intelligence in IVF.
Among the recommendations are that:
• ART clinics should implement person-centred care and embed it in all their systems as evidence shows that it benefits patients, staff and the financial success of the clinic;
• clinics should assess patient experiences of care on a regular basis and use the information to monitor the standard of care and improve care where needed;
• clinics should ensure that patients have access to transparent, evidence-based information on all aspects of treatment at every stage of the process and in a range of formats; and
• information should be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the wide range of people who access ART.
To access and download the guide, go to https://www.europeanfertilitysociety.com/fertility- patientscare-guidance/
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