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Practice of in-vitro fertilization: a case study from Finland
1National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|April 1, 1996
Summary
In vitro fertilization (IVF) became a standard infertility treatment in Finland by following innovation stages. Access was unequal due to private clinic costs, with upper-class women more frequently using IVF services.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Health Services Research
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a standard infertility treatment in Western countries.
- The study examines the establishment and utilization of IVF in Finland.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze the innovation pathway of IVF in Finland.
- Describe IVF care organization (1991-1993).
- Identify characteristics of women using IVF and achieving pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with IVF physicians.
- Survey of Finnish IVF clinics.
- Telephone interviews with the adult population.
- Analysis of Finnish Birth Registry data.
Main Results:
- IVF in Finland progressed through four innovation stages to become a standard procedure.
- Key factors included professional associations, clinical approval, and increased services without strict regulation.
- Private clinics increased availability, but costs created unequal access.
- IVF users were more often upper-class, white-collar women in southern Finland.
Conclusions:
- IVF became a routine infertility treatment by the late 1980s, offering a technological solution.
- Increased demand and wider indications demonstrate the success of IVF technology.
- Unequal access to IVF services existed despite public availability.