P-722 What is the state of well-being among professionals working in French Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers?
Authors: Delaroche L , Bazin F , Lecompte F , Chammas J , Koscinski I , Mery L , Malleret V , Sermondade N 
Published: July 2024

Study question

What is the state of well-being among professionals working in French Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers?

Summary answer

Over 35% of French ART professionals experience job strain, and an additional 21% lack social support, posing risks of stress, burnout, and physical health issues.

What is known already

The health of professionals is notably impacted by the psychosocial work environment, where stress arises from imbalances between demands and available resources. Job strain, characterized by high psychological demands and low decision latitude, can lead to negative health outcomes, especially when combined with poor social support. Research on the well-being of diverse ART teams is scarce. Previous studies focused on burnout risk among embryologists in the US, Spain, and the UK, leaving other professional categories unexplored. A wider understanding of the psychosocial dynamics within ART centers is crucial for promoting a supportive work environment and limiting stress-related challenges among professionals.

Study design, size, duration

This cross-sectional study aims at evaluating the state of well-being among professionals working in the 104 French ART centers. An online survey was distributed via email to potential participants from November 2023 to January 2024. The questionnaire was built upon Karasek and Siegrist’s models. It included 26 queries assessing psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support, along with 23 questions evaluating effort, rewards, and perceived control. Additional questions covered personal and professional details.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Responses were scored based on predefined points for psychological demand, decision latitude, job support, extrinsic efforts, and rewards. According to Karasek model, job strain combines high psychological demands (score &gt;21) with low decision latitude (score &lt;70). Isostrain, a more severe form of job strain, adds low social support (score &lt;24) to job strain. Siegrist’s model identifies work situations with an imbalance between extrinsic efforts and rewards (ratio effort/reward &gt;1).

Main results and the role of chance

The study included 464 participants (13% participation rate), including biologists (n = 129, 28%), gynecologists (n = 125, 27%), embryologists (n = 106, 23%), secretaries (n = 51, 11%), midwifes (n = 31, 6%) and other professions (n = 22, 5%). Most professionals were women (81.5%), while the remaining where men (18.1%) mainly biologists and gynecologists, and non-binary individuals (0.4%). Among all professionals, 164 (36%) experience job strain, while others either fell in active (n = 186, 40%), relaxed (n = 68, 15%) or passive (n = 41, 9%) categories. Furthermore, 80 (21%) professionals were in an isostrain situation. A total of 15% of professionals experience an imbalance between their extrinsic efforts and rewards. Multivariate analysis showed that women (OR 2.10 [1.07; 4.11]), public centers (OR 1.86 [1.13; 3.08]), embryologists (OR 9.26 [4.90; 17.50]), and secretaries (OR 5.78 [2.75; 12.17]) exhibited higher job strain risks compared to men, for-profit private centers, and gynecologists. Gender and function also showed significant associations with isostrain risk. Moreover, working 10 hours per day for 5-6 days weekly (OR 4.75 [1.47; 15.37]), along with functions of embryologists (OR 7.58 [2.21; 26.05]) and secretaries (OR 4.41 [1.20; 16.18]), were independently associated with an effort/reward imbalance, compared to a 4-day weekly work schedule and the function of gynecologist, respectively.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to the email distribution method, some professionals might not have received the survey. Sampling or non-response bias may result in the underrepresentation of specific individuals, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Finally, used scales might not fully capture all psycho-emotional aspects, such as burnout levels or quality of life.

Wider implications of the findings

35% of French ART professionals face psychosocial imbalance, exceeding the general population’s rate (23.2%, Sumer study, 2003). Job strain may affect care quality (Scheepers et al., 2015), so research is needed to understand its causes and potential impact. Organizational and managerial improvements could constitute preventive approaches to stress and burnout.

Trial registration number

Not applicable