Sarah Banks, Mandy Rodrigues, Stephanie Toulemonde, Olivia Montuschi
Abstract
Emotional support for patients has become increasingly important in recent years, and with many reporting feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of control, patients are looking to their clinic to provide more than just medical care.
Studies have shown that patients undergoing ART are at high risk of experiencing psychiatric disorders. They therefore need to receive support in coping with their diagnosis and treatment.
Support should not be one size fits all, and clinics need to offer a range of support services so that patients can access the most appropriate for them. Additional consideration should be given to those looking at other routes to parenthood, using donated gametes, travelling overseas for treatment or making a decision to end treatment, in order to ensure they get the additional support they need.
Patients should be encouraged to access appropriate support and should feel supported by all clinic staff at every point of contact.
This chapter provides information to help you understand how patients feel and practical tools you can use to support your patients’ emotional wellbeing throughout treatment.
The emotional impact on fertility care staff working in an emotionally charged environment will also be discussed. Studies show that poor doctor wellbeing is associated with a higher likelihood of doctors delivering suboptimal care and a lower likelihood of delivering better quality care. In contrast, good doctor wellbeing is associated with greater patient satisfaction and better compliance.
This shows that factors such as stress and burnout impact healthcare provision and patient outcomes. Medical staff with less stress, more support and coping mechanisms have more energy and mental resources to direct their full attention to patients.
Staff support, training and provision of resources are important to prevent potential staff burnout, poor job satisfaction and a high staff turnover.