Homepage > Research abstracts > Reducing unnecessary fertility treatments by increasing the accuracy in the perception of success rates among potential patients
Reducing unnecessary fertility treatments by increasing the accuracy in the perception of success rates among potential patients
Researchers: Avi Tsafrir1,2, Talya Miron-Shatz3
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center
- The Hebrew University
- Ono Academic College
Background: Israel has the highest per capita number of IVF treatments in the world, yet has a significantly lower rate of success. This is attributed mostly to the high proportion of women of advanced maternal age seeking treatment. We hypothesize that the reason for the high number of futile IVF treatments is a tendency for women to overestimate their chances of success, despite information provided to the contrary.
Objectives: To ascertain whether women age 43-45 undergoing infertility treatment correctly understand the estimated chance of success, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding treatment.
Method: Questionnaires were administered to 92 women at age 43 to 45 and undergoing infertility treatment. The questionnaires addressed the women’s understanding of information regarding the estimated chances of success of IVF, either from their own oocyte or from donor oocyte, and assessed the participants’ numeracy.
Findings: Participants in the study who were using their own eggs estimated their chances of successful delivery following in their next planned treatment as 47.6 ± 32% despite scientific evidence that the chances of success are 5%.
Although nearly 80% of participants reported that their medical team did communicate information regarding success rates, the same proportion stated that they would proceed with fertility treatment regardless.
Only 13% of participants correctly responded to all the questions in the numeracy assessment.
Although nearly 80% of participants reported that their medical team did communicate information regarding success rates, the same proportion stated that they would proceed with fertility treatment regardless.
Only 13% of participants correctly responded to all the questions in the numeracy assessment.
Conclusions: There is a gap between women’s subjective estimation of the chances of success following infertility treatment and the estimated chances of success conveyed by the women’s physicians.
Recommendations: Realistic expectations are associated with a higher probability of avoiding futile treatments and choosing effective treatments such as egg donation. Currently, there is a gap in women’s understanding of IVF success at advanced maternal age. Guidelines regarding the provision of information to women aged 43-45 about the estimated chances of success should be evaluated to determine how to bridge this gap.
Research number: R/15/2014
Research end date: 09/2017