Expert consensus for primary management of reproductive health: a Delphi study
- PDF / 910,042 Bytes
- 8 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 15 Downloads / 163 Views
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Expert consensus for primary management of reproductive health: a Delphi study Andrea Bernabeu 1,2 & Concepcion Carratala-Munuera 1 & Jose A. Quesada 1 & Joaquin Llacer 1,2 & Adriana Lopez-Pineda 1 & Francisco Sellers 1,2 & Vicente F. Gil-Guillen 1 & Rafael Bernabeu 1,2 & Kamila Cheikh-Moussa 1 & Domingo Orozco-Beltran 1 Received: 16 July 2020 / Accepted: 22 September 2020 # Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland 2020
Abstract Background The main barrier for an appropriate primary management of the reproductive health was lack of knowledge about the risk factors and prevention measures for infertility and the main recommendations was to involve primary care physicians in reproductive health. Aims To reach a consensus around barriers and enablers for appropriate primary management of the reproductive health. Methods An observational study was performed using the modified Delphi technique, from October 2017 to April 2018 in private and public assisted reproduction clinics in Spain. A questionnaire consisted of 58 items, divided into four blocks to explore consensus among a group of experts by synthesizing opinions. Results In the first Delphi round, the response rate was 50% and panelists reached a 72.4% of consensus. In second round, the response rate was 55% and panelists reached a 25% of consensus. To minimize limitations related to the use of a structured questionnaire, a space for free text responses was provided. The following items yielded unanimous agreement: “It is necessary to promote reproductive planning—not just contraception—from secondary school,” “The media should not trivialize pregnancies in women aged over 50,” “Postponing family formation is the main cause of the increase in assisted reproduction treatments in Spain,” and “Postponing motherhood implies an inherently decreased probability of having children.” Conclusions These recommendations could set the basis for a public health action plan for primary management of reproductive health. The findings may be applicable to any country whose health services system provides primary healthcare. Keywords Consensus . Delphi technique . Infertility
Introduction According to the last update of the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], an estimated 48.5 million couples worldwide were infertile in 2010. Human fertility problems may have a number of causes, including gynecological or andrological conditions as well as age, genetic abnormalities, infectious or environmental agents, and certain behaviors [2]. Several
* Adriana Lopez-Pineda [email protected] 1
Chair of Reproductive and Community Medicine, Miguel Hernandez University, Ctra. Nnal. 332 Alicante-Valencia s/n, 03550 Alicante, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
2
Bernabeu Institute of Fertility and Gynecology, 03016 Alicante, Spain
of the most influential factors are modifiable, and there is conclusive evidence that some of them have a negative effect on assisted reproductive technology procedures [3–5]. Modern societal advances and women’s increased participation in the workforce
Data Loading...
