Infertility affects millions of couples globally, leading to significant interest in both understanding its causes and developing effective treatments. It’s essential for couples to consult with fertility specialists to determine the most appropriate treatment based on their specific situation.
The progressive evolution in the clinical management of IVF treatments since the early 1980s has paved the way for more successful outcomes. By 2018, this progress was evident, as over 1 million treatment cycles were reported by 1,422 clinics providing ART services in 39 European nations. Such growth is the result of multiple contributors, from the incorporation of ART procedures to enhanced focus on patient care. As we delve deeper into the digital era, the clinical management of IVF faces the challenge of integrating automated methods to centralize patient care even more.
Recent global reviews, such as the one cited from May 2023, underscore the significant strides made in the IVF sector through AI and digital interventions. From modern equipment to mobile applications, technology suppliers have expanded the horizons for patients and healthcare providers during the entirety of the IVF process.
Recognizing this shift, the European Fertility Society undertook the initiative of crafting a comprehensive questionnaire. The aim of this study is to gather a holistic understanding of the extent and impact of AI and digital technology usage across fertility clinics.
The study will be conducted via surveys which will deployed by Qualtrics and is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete. Participants will be recruited via social media and the EFS database of clinics. The inclusion criteria to taking part in survey is require IVF clinics offering fertility treatment based on the valid licence issued by the national governmental body.
The questionnaire for participants provides a deep dive into the fertility treatments that incorporate AI, the technologies used prior and during the treatment, use of generative AI and language models as well as the forward-looking plans of these clinics.