To treat or not to treat: perceptions of the initial American Society for Reproductive Medicine COVID-19 recommendations among women’s health providers

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics 2021-03, Vol.38 (3), p.621-626
• Main Authors: Wiltshire, Ashley, Jackson-Bey, Tia, Walker, Zachary, Chiang, Jasmine L., MacLennan, Paul A., Gunn, Deidre, Hurd, William W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Assisted Reproduction Technologies; Attitude of Health Personnel; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Endocrinology; Female; Fertility; Gynecology; Gynecology - methods; Health Personnel - psychology; Human Genetics; Humans; Infertility; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obstetrics; Pandemics; Perception - physiology; Reproductive health; Reproductive Medicine; Reproductive Medicine - methods; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; Surveys and Questionnaires; Women's Health; Womens health
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02064-w

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of the initial ASRM COVID-19 recommendations for infertility treatment held by women’s health providers within varying subspecialties, as well as their attitudes toward pregnancy and fertility during this time. Methods An electronic survey was sent to all women’s healthcare providers, including physicians, mid-level providers and nurses, in all subspecialties of obstetrics and gynaecology (Ob/Gyn) at a large tertiary care university-affiliated hospital. Results Of the 278 eligible providers, the survey response rate was 45% ( n  = 127). Participants represented 8 Ob/Gyn subspecialties and all professional levels. Participants age 18–30 years were significantly more likely to feel that women should have access to infertility treatment despite the burden level of COVID-19 in respective community/states ( p  = 0.0058). Participants within the subspecialties of general Ob/Gyn, maternal foetal medicine and gynecologic oncology were significantly more likely to disagree that all women should refrain from planned conception during the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison to those in urogynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility ( p  = 0.0003). Conclusions Considering the immediate and unknown long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility care delivery, a better understanding of perceptions regarding infertility management during this time is important. Our study shows overall support for the initial ASRM recommendations, representing a wide spectrum of women’s health providers.