Information and decision support needs: A survey of women interested in receiving planned oocyte cryopreservation information

Sherine Sandhu, Martha Hickey, Sabine Braat, Karin Hammarberg, Raelia Lew, Jane Fisher, William Ledger, Michelle Peate, on behalf of the Eggsurance Collaborative Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Identifying the information and decision support needs of women interested in receiving planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) information. Methods: An online survey of Australian women, aged 18-45, interested in receiving POC information, proficient in English, with internet access. The survey covered POC information sources, information delivery preferences, POC and age-related infertility knowledge (study-specific scale), Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), and time spent considering POC. Target sample size (n=120) was determined using a precision-based method. Results: Of 332 participants, 249 (75%) had considered POC, whilst 83 (25%) had not. Over half (54%) had searched for POC information. Fertility clinic websites were predominately used (70%). Most (73%) believed women should receive POC information between ages 19-30 years. Preferred information providers were fertility specialists (85%) and primary care physicians (81%). Other methods rated most useful to deliver POC information were online. Mean knowledge score was 8.9/14 (SD:2.3). For participants who had considered POC, mean DCS score was 57.1/100 (SD:27.2) and 78% had high decisional conflict (score >37.5). In regression, lower DCS scores were associated with every 1-point increase in knowledge score (-2.4; 95% CI [-3.9, -0.8]), consulting an IVF specialist (-17.5; [-28.0, -7.1]), and making a POC decision (-18.4; [-27.5, -9.3]). Median time to decision was 24-months (IQR: 12.0-36.0) (n=53). Conclusion: Women interested in receiving POC information had knowledge gaps, and wanted to be informed about the option by age 30 years from healthcare professionals and online resources. Most women who considered using POC had high decisional conflict indicating a need for decision support.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1265-1280
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • decision making
  • decision support
  • Elective egg freezing
  • fertility preservation
  • information needs
  • planned oocyte cryopreservation

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