Improving Patient Experience in Fertility Treatments: Insights from an Embie Clinic & Fairtility Study

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At Embie Clinic, we understand the emotional and psychological toll that fertility treatments can have on patients. To help enhance and close gaps in the standard of care, we conducted a study, along with Fairtility, to identify key pain points experienced by patients and explore ways to improve communication and patient experience.

This post highlights the study findings, as presented via poster at ESHRE 2023, and their implications for fertility clinics.

We distributed an electronic survey to 98 women registered with Embie Clinic who consented to participate. The respondents were primarily from the USA, well-educated, tech-oriented, and aged between 31 and 40. The survey covered topics such as demographics, IVF history, communication with healthcare providers, expectations, and involvement in fertility care.

Key Findings:
  1. Pricing: While pricing is a pain point for many IVF patients, it does not significantly impact their choice of clinic. Factors like clinic location and doctor reputation hold greater importance.
  2. Doctor-Patient Communication: The study revealed that patients desire regular updates and detailed explanations from their doctors, but this only occurred in half of the cases. Transparency and comprehensive answers to their questions were identified as crucial tools for patient empowerment.
  3. Knowledge Acquisition: Patients actively seek information online and through experienced peers to expand their knowledge before and after discussions with doctors. They expect fertility clinics to incorporate high-tech advancements and are willing to pay for them.
  4. Pain Points: Over 90% of patients reported at least one pain point with their clinic. Inconsistent communication, lack of transparency, understanding, and empathy were cited as the primary concerns.

These findings highlight the importance of improving communication depth, quality, and frequency in fertility treatments. Fertility clinics should prioritize transparent processes and decision-making, providing comprehensive explanations and answering patient questions in detail. By involving patients and sharing knowledge, healthcare providers can improve patient education and reduce the likelihood of patients seeking alternative, potentially inaccurate information elsewhere.

Embie Clinic is committed to enhancing patient experience and addressing the pain points identified in this study. By fostering transparent communication, empowering patients, and staying at the forefront of innovative technologies, we strive to improve the standard of care in fertility treatments. Together, let’s shape a more compassionate and patient-centered approach to fertility care.

To see the poster click here. If you’d like to learn more about the study or our efforts to improve patient experience, please reach out to us here.