Dignity-based care and infertility treatment: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Patient-Centered Care
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Infertility treatment is lengthy, demanding frequent visits, and requires dignity-based services.
• Existing research lacks a comprehensive explanation of dignity-based care in infertility contexts.
• Patient perceptions and experiences of dignity in care vary significantly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the concept and dimensions of dignity-based care within infertility treatment services.
• To identify key components of dignity-based care from the perspective of infertile individuals and key informants.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative conventional content analysis approach.
• Purposive sampling of 50 participants (infertile women, men, key informants) in Iran.
• Data collection via in-depth, semi-structured interviews; analysis using Grandheim and Lundman's steps; trustworthiness ensured by Lincoln and Guba's criteria.

Main Results:

• Content analysis revealed 4 categories, 11 sub-categories, and 43 codes.
• Key categories include: conserving dignity, accessible information with informed consent, professional and standard services, and consideration of cultural/social aspects.
• These findings highlight the multidimensional nature of dignity-based care in infertility treatment.

Conclusions:

• Dignity-based care encompasses preserving dignity, ensuring informed consent, delivering professional services, and respecting cultural/social factors.
• This conceptualization can inform future policy-making and planning for improved infertility treatment services.
• Implementing dignity-based care requires appropriate support systems to enhance service quality.