Infertility management in primary care

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Primary Care Medicine
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Infertility affects a growing number of couples globally.
• The emotional and financial burdens associated with infertility are significant.
• Primary care settings can play a crucial role in managing infertility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the capacity of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in managing initial infertility treatments.
• To emphasize the role of NPs in addressing the psychosocial and financial challenges faced by infertile couples.
• To advocate for the integration of NP-led infertility services for improved patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on NP scope of practice in reproductive health.
• Analysis of patient care pathways for infertility management in primary care.
• Discussion of the benefits of timely access to investigations and treatment facilitated by NPs.

Main Results:

• Primary care NPs are well-positioned to manage initial infertility investigations and treatments.
• NPs can provide comprehensive care, addressing both the medical and emotional aspects of infertility.
• NP-led care can lead to more efficient patient journeys towards achieving pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Primary care NPs are essential healthcare providers for couples experiencing infertility.
• Integrating NPs into infertility care pathways can enhance patient access and reduce treatment delays.
• Empowering NPs to manage infertility contributes to better reproductive health outcomes for patients.