THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE ASRM GUIDELINES ON FERTILITY PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Abstract
Objective
To survey fertility patients’ agreement with ASRM recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emotional impact on them.
Design
An online survey was sent to current fertility patients
Setting
New York City academic fertility practice at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic
Patient(s)
Fertility patients seen within the last year
Intervention(s)
None
Main Outcome Measures(s)
Patient agreement with the ASRM recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emotional impact rated on a Likert scale.
Result(s)
A total of 518 patients completed the survey for a response rate of 17%. Fifty percent of respondents had a cycle canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those who had a cycle cancelled, 85% of respondents found it to be moderately to extremely upsetting with 22% rating it to be equivalent to the loss of a child. There was no difference on the emotional impact based on the type of cycle cancelled. Fifty-five percent of patients agreed that diagnostic procedures such as hysterosalpingograms should be cancelled while 36% of patients agreed all fertility cycles should be cancelled. Patients were slightly more likely to agree with the ASRM guidelines if they have an upcoming cycle cancelled (p = 0.041). Of all respondents 82% would have preferred to have the option to start a treatment cycle in consultation with their doctor.
Conclusion(s)
Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical, financial and emotional impact of this unprecedented threat cannot be underestimated in our fertility patients.
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