Patient-centred infertility care: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Healthcare Quality
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Patient-centred infertility care (PCIC) is crucial for effective fertility treatments.
• A clear patient-defined understanding of PCIC is needed for its application.
• Existing literature requires synthesis to define PCIC from the patient's viewpoint.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the scope and nature of scientific literature on PCIC published between 2009 and 2019.
• To identify gaps in the current research on PCIC.
• To establish a definition of PCIC based on infertile patients' perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley's methodology.
• Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane, CINAHL) and grey literature.
• Inclusion of studies on individuals with a history of infertility focusing on PCIC; exclusion of non-full-text and non-English studies.

Main Results:

• Data will be charted and analyzed using descriptive numerical and qualitative thematic analyses.
• NVivo V.12 software will be utilized for data extraction.
• The review will synthesize findings to define PCIC from the patient's perspective.

Conclusions:

• This review will provide a clear definition of PCIC based on patient perspectives.
• Findings will support clinicians and policymakers in implementing high-quality, patient-centred fertility care.
• The results will be disseminated to clinical audiences and policymakers to improve healthcare for infertile populations.