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Cited by 135Reproductive Health and TechnologiesReproductive Health and ContraceptionPatient Satisfaction in Healthcare

What do women want? Women's experiences of infertility treatment

Malin, Maili, Hemminki, Elina, Räikkönen, Outi, Sihvo, Sinikka, Perälä, M-L·2001·Social Science & Medicine
DOI 10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00317-8
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Abstract

Finnish women's experiences of infertility treatment were investigated by examining their satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and their most positive and negative experiences with the treatment. Three hundred and forty four (16%) out of the 2,189 women respondents to a 1994 postal survey (response rate 74%) had experienced difficulties in having a baby. Two-thirds had sought medical help, generally from private gynaecologists. Less than half of the women were satisfied with the infertility treatment, expressing less satisfaction than is generally found among health care clients. Dissatisfied women were more often 35-39 years of age, in treatment during the study period, in treatment in public clinics and not successful in having a baby. However, about one-third of the women were unsure about or did not give their opinion in regard to satisfaction. The subsequent birth of a baby was the most common reason for satisfaction. The most positive treatment experience was respectful, empathic and personal care from the doctor. Unsatisfactory encounters with health care personnel were the main reasons for dissatisfaction and were most often cited as the most negative treatment experience. This dissatisfaction could reflect relatively young and healthy women's assertive attitudes toward infertility care services in the context of the intimacy and vulnerability of childlessness.

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  • The subtheme of negative interactions with healthcare providers adds to previous findings and highlights need for increased awareness/education among providers.

    “The subtheme relating to negative interactions with healthcare providers adds to the findings of previous studies31 32 and highlights the need for increased awareness and education among healthcare providers in addressing the emotional aspect of infertility with sensitivity and compassion.”

    From Infertility-related distress and clinical targets for psychotherapy: A qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [31]

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Authors
Malin, M., Hemminki, E., Räikkönen, O., Sihvo, S., & Perälä, M.-L.
Affiliations
University of Helsinki (FI)
Corresponding author
Malin, Maili
Venue
Social Science & Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2001-07
Volume
53
Issue
1
Pages
123-133
ISSN
0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00317-8
OpenAlex
W1982964761
Cited by
135
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI
4.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare
Keywords
infertility treatment, patient satisfaction, patient dissatisfaction, women's experiences, physician-patient relationship, empathy in care, childlessness, reproductive health care, Finnish women
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Data Collection, Female, Fertility Agents, Female, Fertilization in Vitro, Finland, Patient Care, Humans, Infertility, Patient Satisfaction

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