Patients' experience with and assessment of subfertility testing and treatment

Abstract

Patients' experience with and assessment of subfertility testing and treatment were examined in a survey of 387 members of the National Association for the Childless early in 1982. Testing and treatment was satisfactory for both partners in about half the sample but was less satisfactory when the husband was subfertile rather than the wife. Although the degree of satisfaction differed for such factors as waiting times between appointments, time taken to announce tests results, the use of language patients could understand, and the attitudes of GPs and hospital doctors, there were no consistent differences between the assessment of testing and treatment by men or by women in these respects. The majority of those that had received private and NHS treatment preferred the former, chiefly because it was quicker rather than more effective or comprehensive. It was felt that there was a lack of provision for emotional and psychological needs and the authors conclude that this aspect of subfertility investigation requires improvement.