P–511 Characteristics of psychological services for couples undergoing ART treatment in Italy
Authors: Renzi A , Spoletini R , Trani M D , Scaravelli G 
Published: August 2021

Study question

What are the characteristics of the psychological services for couples undergoing ART treatment in Italy?

Summary answer

In the 47% of ART clinics the psychologist is a stable member of the team whereas psychological services are used by 10–20% of couples. What is known already: ART treatments are complex and emotionally demanding for both men and women. During the procedure the couples often experience stress and several negative emotions. In Italy the Law 40/2004 establishes the guidelines for ART application. This law sustains the importance of offering psychological support to the people who undergo ART treatments at any stage of the medical procedure. However, in Italy there are no specific recommendations or protocols for psychological interventions in ART centres. Furthermore, there is little or no studies regarding the characteristics of the psychological services offered to those undergoing ART treatments.

Study design, size, duration

This observational study aims to explore the characteristics of psychological services in ART clinics. Therefore, the ART Italian National Register (National Health Institute) with the Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health study (Sapienza University) proposed a national survay to the 306 Italian ART centres. The Medical Director of each centre was invited to participate by e-mail and to fill a questionnaire on an on-line platform. Data collection was between Jenuary to February 2020.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The participation has been proposed to all the Italian ART centres (n = 306). 35 centres have been previously excluded because participating in the first phase of the study regarding the questionnaire construction. Around the 40% of the centres participated in the study (n = 113). The questionnaire contains 26 items with multiple response answers. It mainly explored: the presence of the psychologist in the ART centres, charachteristics of the intervention offered, percentage of couples using the psychological service.

Main results and the role of chance

In the 47% of ART centres the psychologist is a stable member of the team. The 38% of respondents reported that the psychologist works on call in the centre, the 18% reported that the psychologist is present in the centre 1–2 times a week whereas the 32% reported that the psychologist works in a private practice outside the centre. The reported percentages of couples using the psychological service are: 10–20% (69%), 20–30% (13%), 30–50% (5%), more than 50% (5%) and around the 100% (8%). The number of psychological sessions usually offered are: up to five (9%), four (13%), three (29%), two (27%), one (10%). Couples interventions represent the 73%, single patient intervention the 14%, whereas the 13% are group interventions. The 60% of respondent reported the absence of a protocol for psychological intervention in the ART centre whereas the 40% reported the presence of a protocol. In around the 50% of cases the psychological service represents an extra cost for the couple/individual. In the 60% of cases the psychologist is not involved in the team meeting, however the 87% of respondents reported that confronting with the psychologist on patients is percived as useful.

Limitations, reasons for caution

These results should be considered with cautions due to the rate of participation (around 40%). Furthermore, this is a national study and the charachteristics of psychological services offered in ART centres of different countries should be investigated.

Wider implications of the findings: In conclusion, the results show that psychological services in Italian ART centers are not yet fully operational and integrated in the ART procedure. All of this highlights the importance of further investigations with the aim to shared information to use to establish common protocols for psychological interventions in ART centres.

Trial registration number

Not applicable