1. Couple satisfaction with overall sub-fertility management: a questionnaire based study Couple satisfaction with overall sub-fertility management: a questionnaire based study Bapir M, Hoh J, Brown J & Al-Inizi S Department of Women Health, South Tyneside District Hospital Harton Lane, South Shields, United Kingdom Introduction Infertility is an upsetting and stressful experience for some women 1,2, therefore access to support group and psychological counselling would be beneficial at all stage of infertility treatment and investigation 3,4. Introduction Infertility is an upsetting and stressful experience for some women 1,2, therefore access to support group and psychological counselling would be beneficial at all stage of infertility treatment and investigation 3,4. Objectives - To assess satisfaction of sub-fertile couples with the overall management of infertility. - To assess the couples expectation in the term of clinical care and emotional aspect of sub-fertility starting pre-assessment nurse led clinic to fifth fertility clinic appointment. Objectives - To assess satisfaction of sub-fertile couples with the overall management of infertility. - To assess the couples expectation in the term of clinical care and emotional aspect of sub-fertility starting pre-assessment nurse led clinic to fifth fertility clinic appointment. Design Questionnaire based study. Design Questionnaire based study. Methods Anonymous questionnaires were handed to couples at the end of the first nurse specialist assessment clinic, first appointment clinic and at the 5th appointment fertility clinic at Women Health Unit at South Tyneside Hospital. Methods Anonymous questionnaires were handed to couples at the end of the first nurse specialist assessment clinic, first appointment clinic and at the 5th appointment fertility clinic at Women Health Unit at South Tyneside Hospital. Results Pre-Assessment Nurse Led Clinic Couples satisfaction with the nurse explanation of sub-fertility investigations Blood test Tubal patency tests Semen analysis Satisfied100%78.69%91.8% Not Satisfied8.2%1.64% Unsure13.1%6.6% 16.40% of couples felt anxious at this clinic and worried about the expectations. first and fifth fertility clinic visits 1 st Visit5 th Visit Couples satisfied that the doctor has reduced their anxiety and answered most of their queries 96.8%94.74% Couples satisfied with the doctor’s attitude 94.74% Couples satisfaction with the information and options discussed with them by the doctor at first and fifth clinic visits Couples satisfaction with the explanation given to them regarding drug treatment and possible risks and side effects of treatment Couples satisfaction with the explanation given to them regarding drug treatment and possible risks and side effects of treatment More than half of the couples were worried about their future fertility and that they may not have a successful treatment which may require referral for IVF More than half of the couples were worried about their future fertility and that they may not have a successful treatment which may require referral for IVF Majority of couples were not anxious at this clinic or worried about the expectations Majority of couples were not anxious at this clinic or worried about the expectations 16% at first visit and 10.5% at fifth visit couples preferred to see an infertility psychological counsellor as part of the infertility service at this clinic 16% at first visit and 10.5% at fifth visit couples preferred to see an infertility psychological counsellor as part of the infertility service at this clinic 45.2% at first visit and 73.68% at fifth visit couples felt that written information is needed to cover the information required for drug treatment in sub-fertility Conclusion Couples were satisfied with their care, especially as the service is a couple-centred approach. The results of the 1 st and 5th follow up clinic questionnaires have indicated that the involvement of an infertility psychological counsellor could further improve the service. Conclusion Couples were satisfied with their care, especially as the service is a couple-centred approach. The results of the 1 st and 5th follow up clinic questionnaires have indicated that the involvement of an infertility psychological counsellor could further improve the service. References 1- Freeman EW, Boxer AS, Rickels K, Tureck R, Mastroianni L. Psychological evaluation and support in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1985;43:48–53. 2- Newton CR, Hearn MT, Yuzpe AA. Psychological assessment and follow-up after in vitro fertilization: assessing the impact of failure. Fertil Steril 1990;54:879–86. 3- Domar AD, Zuttermeister PC, Friedman R. The psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1993;14 Suppl:45–52. 4- Domar AD, Clapp DE. Impact of group psychological interventions on pregnancy rates in infertile women. Fertil Steril 2000;73:805–11. References 1- Freeman EW, Boxer AS, Rickels K, Tureck R, Mastroianni L. Psychological evaluation and support in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1985;43:48–53. 2- Newton CR, Hearn MT, Yuzpe AA. Psychological assessment and follow-up after in vitro fertilization: assessing the impact of failure. Fertil Steril 1990;54:879–86. 3- Domar AD, Zuttermeister PC, Friedman R. The psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1993;14 Suppl:45–52. 4- Domar AD, Clapp DE. Impact of group psychological interventions on pregnancy rates in infertile women. Fertil Steril 2000;73:805–11. Acknowledgment : The authors would like to thank the couples participated in this study and a special thanks to J. Brown the specialist sub-fertility nurse.