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Comparing patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of elective single embryo transfer using the attitudes to a twin IVF pregnancy scale (ATIPS)

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

This study evaluated a questionnaire originally developed for use with health professionals to explore and compare patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of elective single embryo transfer and twin births.

Methods

IVF clinicians and patients attending an independent Fertility clinic were surveyed using the Attitudes to a twin birth scale (ATIPS) comprising two subscales: attitudes to twins (A-Twin) and attitudes to elective single embryo transfer (A-SET). After refinement total sample scores showed both subscales were reliable with Cronbach’s alpha >0.8 and item-total correlations >0.35.

Results

Questionnaires were completed by 100 female IVF patients and 17 IVF clinicians. A-Twin subscale scores indicated neither the IVF clinicians nor female IVF patients demonstrated very positive attitudes to a twin birth although the IVF female patients were more in favour (t = 5.29, n = 117, p = <0.001). Responses suggest both groups would benefit from increased information about the risks of a twin birth for the baby. First cycle IVF female patients were significantly more positive about eSET (z = 3.94, n = 100, p = <0.001). Clinicians perceive both their colleagues’ and female patients’ negativity towards eSET; suggesting a role for education.

Conclusions

This study found the ATIPS to be a reliable measure which could be useful in evaluating interventions to promote single embryo transfer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all those who participated in the study and the Infertility Research Trust for funding the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK

    Vibha Rai, Amanda Betsworth, Charlotte Beer & Cris Glazebrook

  2. CARE Fertility, John Webster House, 6 Lawrence Drive, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham, NG8 6PZ, UK

    George Ndukwe

Authors
  1. Vibha Rai
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  2. Amanda Betsworth
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  3. Charlotte Beer
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  4. George Ndukwe
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  5. Cris Glazebrook
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charlotte Beer.

Additional information

Capsule The ATIPS is a useful and reliable measure for exploring patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of eSET and twin births

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Rai, V., Betsworth, A., Beer, C. et al. Comparing patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of elective single embryo transfer using the attitudes to a twin IVF pregnancy scale (ATIPS). J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 65–72 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9484-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9484-6

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