Holding together: caring for clients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies nurses require recognition of their role and how it may positively contribute to clients' experiences, as well as adequate preparation and ongoing support. Nurses need to be educated in both the emotional and medical aspects involved in caring for clients being treated with these technologies.

Do nurses and midwives have a role in promoting the well-being of patients during their fertility journey? a review of the literature

“…They have had the opportunity to widen their role within the fertility care setting (Birch, 2001;Denton, 2003;McTavish, 2003;Allan & Barber, 2004), which encompasses the pastoral support required by their client group (Kendall, 2008). Continuity of care, along with the support of patients through their emotional journey, is paramount (Allan & Barber, 2004;Payne & Goedeke, 2007;Omu & Omu, 2010), and fertility nurses are well placed to deliver this important aspect of care. They do, however, have to take account of others in the multidisciplinary team as well as of patients, before extending their role.…”

“…Not only is clinical care provided, but also pastoral support to help alleviate the stress suffered by patients during their fertility journey (Kendall, 2008). Further evidence of the activity of fertility nurses in providing both physical and emotional care to their patients was provided by Payne and Goedeke (2007), who argued that fertility nurses were the constant members of the team due to the variety of roles they encompassed and were in a position to provide holistic care to their specifi c patient group. They also identifi ed three key themes within these roles: emotional support, information giving, and acting as an advocate for their patients.…”

“…Nursing within a fertility unit encompasses continuity of clinical care for the patient group (Allan & Barber, 2004;Payne & Goedeke, 2007) in an emotional and physical sense (Omu & Omu, 2010). Patients have an expectation that the clinic team can provide continuity of care along with emotional support during their treatment (van Empel et al, 2010).…”

Assisted reproduction and midwives: Student and certified midwives’ educational needs on reproductive biology

“…However, little work has been done on the assessment of professionals' attitudes of assisted reproductive technologies which mostly include physicians and nurses [8][9][10][11][12].…”

The anxiety of infertility: The role of the nurses in the fertility clinic

“…Brucker and McKenry (2004) suggest that there needs to be further research into how nurses and other health care providers can support infertile couples in fertility clinics and argue from their survey study that infertile women in North America currently receive most care from their family members. In contrast, Payne and Goedeke (2007) and Williams (2007) argue that New Zealand nurses do meet patients ' psychological needs in fertility clinics. In the most recent research paper in the American context, Payne and Ponder (2011) provide a framework for nurse practitioners in primary care to provide psychosocial support.…”