Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
The development and phase 1 evaluation of a Decision Aid for elective egg freezing
Sherine Sandhu1, Martha Hickey2, Raelia Lew2,3
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, Cnr Grattan Street & Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. sherine.sandhu@unimelb.edu.au.
Background:
Elective egg freezing decisions are complex. We developed a Decision Aid for elective egg freezing and conducted a phase 1 study to evaluate its acceptability and utility for decision-making.
Methods:
The online Decision Aid was developed according to International Patient Decision Aid Standards and evaluated using a pre/post survey design. Twenty-six Australian women aged 18-45 years, interested in receiving elective egg freezing information, proficient in English, and with access to the internet were recruited using social media and university newsletters. Main outcomes were: acceptability of the Decision Aid; feedback on the Decision Aid design and content; concern raised by the Decision Aid, and; utility of the Decision Aid as measured by scores on the Decisional Conflict Scale and on a study-specific scale assessing knowledge about egg freezing and age-related infertility.
Results:
Most participants found the Decision Aid acceptable (23/25), balanced (21/26), useful for explaining their options (23/26), and for reaching a decision (18/26). Almost all reported satisfaction with the Decision Aid (25/26) and the level of guidance it provided (25/26). No participant reported serious concerns about the Decision Aid, and most would recommend it to other women considering elective egg freezing (22/26). Median Decisional Conflict Scale score decreased from 65/100 (Interquartile range: 45-80) pre-Decision Aid to 7.5/100 (Interquartile range: 0-37.5) post-Decision Aid review (p < 0.001). Median knowledge score increased from 8.5/14 (Interquartile range: 7-11) pre-Decision Aid to 11/14 (Interquartile range: 10-12) post-Decision Aid review (p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
This elective egg freezing Decision Aid appears acceptable and useful for decision-making. It improved knowledge, reduced decisional conflict and did not raise serious concerns. The Decision Aid will be further evaluated using a prospective randomised control trial.
Study Registration:
ACTRN12618001685202 (retrospectively registered: 12 October 2018).
Related Concept Videos
01:57Meiosis II
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...