Reproductive Donors' Needs and Preferences: A Mixed-methods Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive medicine
• Bioethics
• Healthcare policy

Background:

• Reproductive donation processes often neglect the unique needs and preferences of donors.
• Providing donor-centered care requires acknowledging and addressing these specific requirements.
• Current practices may not fully meet the expectations of individuals undergoing gamete or embryo donation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing evidence on the needs and preferences of reproductive donors.
• To identify key areas where donor care can be improved.
• To inform the development of more supportive and comprehensive donor programs.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods systematic review (MMSR) was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines.
• Searches were performed across Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for relevant original research articles.
• Data synthesis utilized a convergent integrated approach, with quality assessment using JBI tools.

Main Results:

• Six primary categories of donor needs and preferences were identified from 34 eligible studies.
• These include needs for support, information, counseling, clear financial policies, recognition of rights, and preservation of dignity.
• Specific preferences related to emotional support and respectful treatment were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Current fertility clinic practices frequently fail to meet the diverse needs and preferences of reproductive donors.
• There is a critical need for healthcare policymakers and fertility clinics to integrate donor needs into policy and clinical practice.
• Implementing donor-centered approaches is essential to provide equitable and deserving services to all reproductive donors.