Guidelines to manage women with infertility: an e-Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Psychosocial Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Infertility in African women is exacerbated by cultural pressures for parenthood, leading to significant psychosocial distress.
• Despite social stigma, infertility management in Ghana predominantly relies on a biomedical approach, neglecting holistic needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish consensus among experts on comprehensive, holistic guidelines for managing infertility in women within the Ghanaian context.
• To bridge the gap between biomedical treatments and the psychosocial and cultural realities faced by infertile women.

Main Methods:

• An e-Delphi technique involving 20 experts was utilized over two rounds to refine management guidelines.
• Expert participants rated and commented on preliminary guidelines, with data analysis based on their input.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on a set of holistic healthcare guidelines for infertility management.
• Key interventions include holistic assessment, psychological support, health education, spiritual support, and social support within a therapeutic relationship.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these holistic guidelines can lead to improved health outcomes and increased conception opportunities for women experiencing infertility.
• This approach emphasizes comprehensive care, integrating psychosocial and spiritual dimensions into infertility management.