How to implement
emotional support
to fertility patients? Practical recommendations.
Basic training.
Fertility Patient Care Training Programme
Get Your Brochure
WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
This programme is designed for all clinical staff (medical and non-medical) from fertility clinics across different departments who are interested in implementing a clear process for emotional support and practical recommendations for supporting patients. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to support patients in all their interactions with them, so this training provides all staff with an understanding of how patients feel when going through IVF, why patient support is so important and information on how they can provide emotional support in all communication with patients. This programme also includes feedback from patients on good and bad practice.
BENEFITS FOR ATTENDEES
- Staff will learn practical tools to support patients that they can implement immediately.
- Patients will have a better treatment experience, which will help them cope better with treatment and the outcome
(positive or negative). - Patients will have more trust in the clinic and the treatment plan.
- Higher retention rates – patients who have had a good experience are more likely to stay with their clinic for further cycles.
- Higher conversion rates when you show potential clients that you prioritise their emotional health from the very start of the process.
- Higher success rates due to patients being in a better emotional state throughout treatment.
- Good reputation and referrals.
- Staff feel supported and valued in their roles.
- It gives you a point of difference over other clinics now that success rates are fairly static.
PREREQUISITES
This programme is designed for fertility professionals and staff support. It can be dictated in English. The programme requires you to have a device and 1 Mbps (or faster) Internet connection. The device on which you access the program should support one of the following browsers: Chrome 71, Firefox 64, IE 11, Edge 42, Safari 11. The organizers reserve the right to change any details of the Program without notice.
OVERVIEW

Jakub Dejewski
Chairman, the European Fertility Society
In recent years emotional support for patients has become increasingly important, and with many patients reporting feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and loss of control. They are looking for their clinic to provide more than just medical care. As the first fertility patient care organisation in Europe we want to support clinics in enhancing their patient experience, by offering training from some of the most esteemed European professionals in the field of fertility support and care. “We believe that participation in our training will improve your patients’ experience of treatment and lead to higher retention rates”.

Sarah Banks
Programme lecturer, Fertility Coach and Mentor
Studies have shown that patients undergoing ART are at a high risk of experiencing psychiatric disorders, and that it is important that they receive support in coping with their diagnosis and treatment. Support shouldn’t be limited to that provided by the counsellor, patients should be encouraged to access the support that is right for them and should feel supported by all staff at the clinic at every point of contact they have with them. In this course we will explore how patients feel whilst going through fertility treatment and practical recommendations that staff can use to support their patients through treatment.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
The emotional impact of infertility – a patient’s perspective. The day-today impact, how it makes them feel and how it affects all aspects of their lives, including the male perspective.
- Creating a culture of support
good practice in clinics and how to create a culture of support, including a group discussion on how the clinic can have a patient centric approach. - How staff can offer more emotional support to all patients
practical recommendations and tools that staff can implement
(including maintaining high levels of support in remote appointments)
This course aims to be interactive and engaging. The programme includes 3 live hours, split into 3 modules. It is recommended that at least one person from each department in the fertility clinic attends, ideally everyone in the clinic.
The training would include role play and coaching to ensure that patients’ needs are understood on a deeper level, and group discussions to ensure that all suggestions are realistic and relevant to the individual clinic’s needs.
MODULE 01:
The emotional impact of infertility
- A patient’s perspective.
- The day-to-day impact, how it makes them feel and how it affects all aspects of their lives.
- The male perspective and how to offer support.
MODULE 02:
Creating a culture of support
- Good practice in clinics and creating a culture of support.
- Group discussion on how the clinic can have a patient centric approach.
MODULE 03:
How staff can offer more emotional
support to all patients
- Practical recommendations and tools to support patients.
- Maintaining high levels of support in remote appointments.
- Tools for patients to help them cope through treatment.
- Support for men.
- Group discussion on support initiatives.
- Create individual action plans for consistent
patient support.
PROGRAMME LECTURER

Sarah Banks
Programme lecturer, Fertility Coach and Mentor
Sarah Banks is a qualified Personal Development Coach, and author of the IVF Positivity Planner, a unique coaching journal that helps people cope whilst going through IVF, and an international best seller. Sarah has been working in the field of fertility for 5 years, raising the awareness of infertility and the need for support, and is a member of the EFS guidelines board, helping to develop patient support guidance. Sarah provides training to fertility professionals across the world, helping them create a strong emotional support service and she runs numerous online and face to face support groups, providing much needed peer understanding and support. Through her work and her own personal IVF journey, Sarah has a deep understanding of the impact to emotional and mental health that infertility causes, and the support that is needed.
PROGRAMME FEE AND DURATION
Online course.
Flexible schedule.
Join the European Fertility Society and save
Every new IVF clinic member can get one basic session for free of charge. Find our more about benefits, conditions and fee of the annual membership.