P–509 Patients’ Uses and Experiences of Medically-Assisted Reproduction in France in 2020
Authors: Paton N , Betzi S , Porc. Buisson G , Rio V , Morvan A 
Published: August 2021

Study question

What are the uses and real-life experiences of patients currently treated in France in medically-assisted reproduction (MAR) centers?

Summary answer

One in four patients is in a situation of significant pain in relation to MAR; half are not optimistic about the outcome of their treatment.

What is known already

Internationally, work on the quality of life and impact of treatments has been completed in the field of endometriosis (Culley et al. 2017). In the field of MAR in France, one study underlines an important level of general well-being, with nearly 4 people out of 5 who say they are rather content (Coudrière et al. 2020). A better understanding of this result is however still lacking, especially in respect to whether patients actually believe in the success of their treatments, or how dependent satisfaction is on variables, like age, secondary infertility or the number of years engaged in fertility treatments.

Study design, size, duration

We conducted an online self-administered questionnaire by means of a two-step process: a first survey dedicated to patients’ uses was carried out from January 15, 2020 to February 26, 2000; the following and complementary survey about real-life experience was conducted from March 3, 2020 to April 10, 2020. The initial sample included 1503 people before selecting relevant participants.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The final sample of 967 patients targets patients that were enrolled in a French procreative medical center at the time of the study. Were excluded from the sample: ex-patients, patients who have not started treatment or are not followed in France, solo and homosexual care patient trajectories. The questionnaire was composed of 178 questions. In the questionnaire dealing with MAR uses, six fields were examined; in the case of real-life experience, eight themes were questioned.

Main results and the role of chance

The study shows that one in four patients suffers significantly in relation to MAR care; nearly half are pessimistic about treatment outcome and 65% claim that MAR prevents full enjoyment of everyday life. Further findings include: MAR is globally satisfying regarding the quality of care provided by practitioners and staff (80%), general administration of patients (77 to 87%), first encounters with staff and center (78 to 91%), quality of dialogue (81%), physical state of the premises (82 to 97%), continuum with professional activity (73%). Where centers/practitioners need to pay attention: one out of two patients wanted more means of communication; time management was an issue; 41% state that infertility prevents entrepreneurial outreach and general success; treatments strongly disrupt work for 83% and reduce performances for 79%; work rights, while known, were not respected in ¼ cases. Discoveries made: young women are not very positive, men are not well-identified in such medical trajectories, women’s body image is completely transformed for 95%, 85.5% of women are depressed by seeing a pregnant woman, and 15% do not think about wanting a child daily.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This research, carried out online, was distributed mainly through a grassroot organization, potentially biasing representativeness. Also, the study finished at the start of the first French confinement. Previous studies show that the general context does not impact results, but this limitation cannot be ignored (Fisher, Bayhem, 2019).

Wider implications of the findings: These findings underline the need for a comprehensive conception of MAR, including more than medical support. It highlights anew the need to better take men into account in future research as well as people in their twenties as knowledge of these categories of people is still lacking.

Trial registration number

Not applicable