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Comparing patients' and clinicians' perceptions of elective single embryo transfer using the attitudes to a twin IVF
Vibha Rai1, Amanda Betsworth, Charlotte Beer
1Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
Background:
This study evaluated a questionnaire originally developed for use with health professionals to explore and compare patients' and clinicians' perceptions of elective single embryo transfer and twin births.
Methods:
IVF clinicians and patients attending an independent Fertility clinic were surveyed using the Attitudes to a twin birth scale (ATIPS) comprising two subscales: attitudes to twins (A-Twin) and attitudes to elective single embryo transfer (A-SET). After refinement total sample scores showed both subscales were reliable with Cronbach's alpha >0.8 and item-total correlations >0.35.
Results:
Questionnaires were completed by 100 female IVF patients and 17 IVF clinicians. A-Twin subscale scores indicated neither the IVF clinicians nor female IVF patients demonstrated very positive attitudes to a twin birth although the IVF female patients were more in favour (t = 5.29, n = 117, p = <0.001). Responses suggest both groups would benefit from increased information about the risks of a twin birth for the baby. First cycle IVF female patients were significantly more positive about eSET (z = 3.94, n = 100, p = <0.001). Clinicians perceive both their colleagues' and female patients' negativity towards eSET; suggesting a role for education.
Conclusions:
This study found the ATIPS to be a reliable measure which could be useful in evaluating interventions to promote single embryo transfer.
