Perceptions of reproductive healthcare providers regarding their involvement in offering expanded carrier screening in fertility clinics: a qualitative study.

Attitude Expanded carrier screening Fertility clinics Gynaecology Interviews

Journal

Reproductive biomedicine online
ISSN: 1472-6491
Titre abrégé: Reprod Biomed Online
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101122473

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
03 Feb 2024
Historique:
received: 30 09 2023
revised: 01 01 2024
accepted: 29 01 2024
medline: 21 4 2024
pubmed: 21 4 2024
entrez: 21 4 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

What are the main arguments of reproductive healthcare providers in favour or against their involvement in offering expanded carrier screening (ECS) for recessive disorders at fertility clinics in the Netherlands? Semi-structured interview study with 20 reproductive healthcare providers between May 2020 and January 2021. Participants included 11 gynaecologists, seven fertility doctors, one nurse practitioner and one clinical embryologist, recruited from academic medical centres (n = 13), peripheral facilities associated with academic centres (n = 4), and independent fertility treatment centres (n = 3) in the Netherlands. An interview guide was developed, and thematic content analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti software. Arguments of reproductive healthcare providers in favour of their potential involvement in offering ECS included: (i) opportunities offered by the setting; (ii) motivation to assist in reproduction and prevent suffering; and (iii) to counter unwanted commercialization offers. Arguments against involvement included: (i) lack of knowledge and familiarity with offering ECS; (ii) insufficient staff and resources, and potential high costs for clinics and/or couples; (iii) the emotional impact it may have on couples; (iv) perceived complexity of counselling and expected elongation of waiting lists; and (v) expected low impact on reducing the burden of diseases. Participants felt that more evidence and research on the costs-benefits, implications and demand are needed prior to their involvement. While agreeing that the field of medically assisted reproduction provides a unique opportunity to offer ECS, reproductive healthcare workers feel a lack of capability and limited motivation to offer ECS to all or a selection of couples at their fertility clinics.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38643517
pii: S1472-6483(24)00046-4
doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103857
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

103857

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Auteurs

David Klein (D)

Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Ivy van Dijke (I)

Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Irene M van Langen (IM)

Department of Genetics, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Wybo Dondorp (W)

Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Phillis Lakeman (P)

Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Lidewij Henneman (L)

Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.henneman@amsterdamumc.nl.

Martina C Cornel (MC)

Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Classifications MeSH