J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2020 Jan;24(1):26-39. 10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.1.26.

The Focus Group Interview on Infertility Experts for the Development of Infertility Counseling System

• Choi SM
• Lee YS

• KMID: 2511151
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.1.26

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to propose an effective model for the development of an infertility counseling system.
Methods
We reviewed the infertility counseling system in Japan, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Additionally, we conducted a Focus Group Interview (FGI) with infertility experts and gathered their opinions about a potential counseling system tailored to the needs of infertile women and suitable for Korean context.
Results
Based on the literature review and FGI, the proposed infertility counseling system aimed to promote the infertility treatment process; to build a user-friendly system, including financial support for infertility counseling; to incorporate the integrated model of providing medical information and psychological support for infertile women; and to develop a stepped care system. Additionally, the present findings revealed that, to promote infertility counseling, it is necessary to establish a central infertility counseling center that would be responsible for comprehensive planning, implementation, evaluation, research, and supervision of each counseling organization.
Conclusion
The results of this study can be used as a basis for proposing a preliminary model for the development of an infertility counseling system in Korea.

Keyword

Infertility; Infertility counseling; Focus Group Interview; Infertility Counseling System

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Stepped care service model for infertility counseling.

Reference

APA presidential task force on evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice in psychology. Am Psychol. 2002. 61:271–85.

Australia and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association. Guidelines for professional standards of practice infertility counselling. 2018.

Bahrami N., Sattarzadeh N., Koochaksariie FR., Ghojazadeh M. Comparing depression and sexual satisfaction in fertile and infertile couples. J Reprod Infertil. 2007. 8:52–9.

Blyth E. Guidelines for infertility counselling in different countries: is there an emerging trend? Hum Reprod. 2012. 27:2046–57.

Boivin J., Gameiro S. Evolution of psychology and counseling in infertility. Fertil Steril. 2015. 104:251–9.

Central Infertility Depression Counseling Center. Background of establishment [Internet]. Seoul (Korea): National Medical Center;2017. [cited 2019 Nov 29]. Available from: http://www.nmc22762276.or.kr/sub.php?menukey=54.

Cousineau TM., Domar AD. Psychological impact of infertility. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2007. 21:293–308.

de Liz TM., Strauss B. Differential efficacy of group and individual/couple psychotherapy with infertile patients. Hum Reprod. 2005. 20:1324–32.

Domar A., Dreher H. Healing mind, healthy woman. New York: Dell;1997.

Dunkel-Schetter C., Lobel M. Psychological reactions to infertility. In : Stanton AL, Dunkel-Schetter C, editors. Infertility: perspectives from stress and coping research. New York: Plenum Press;1991.

ESHRE Psychology and Counselling Guideline Development Group. Routine, psychosocial care in infertility and medically assisted reproduction - a guide for fertility staff. Grimbergen (Belgium): ESHRE Psychology and Counselling Guideline Development Group;2015.

Gameiro S., Boivin J., Dancet E., de Klerk C., Emery M., Lewis-Jones C, et al. ESHRE guideline: routine psychosocial care in infertility and medically assisted reproduction-a guide for fertility staff. Hum Reprod. 2015. 30:2476–85.

Gameiro S., Boivin J., Peronace L., Verhaak CM. Why do patients discontinue fertility treatment? A systematic review of reasons and predictors of discontinuation in fertility treatment. Hum Reprod Update. 2012. 18:652–69.

Gourounti K., Anagnostopoulos F., Vaslamatzis G. The relation of psychological stress to pregnancy outcome among women undergoing in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Women Health. 2011. 51:321–39.

Ha YH. Characteristics of MMPI finding in infertile women. J Women Stud. 2017. 22:1–15.

Holka-Pokorska J., Jarema M., Wichniak A. Clinical determinants of mental disorders occurring during the infertility treatment. Psychiatr Pol. 2015. 49:965–82.

Hwang NM. Factors related to the depression of infertile women. Health Soc Welf Rev. 2013. 33:161–87.

Hwang NM., Chae S., Jang I. Support program for infertility couples: 2014 evaluation. Sejong (Korea): Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs;2015a.

Hwang NM., Chae S., Lee S., Kim Y., Kim J., Jeon J. Strategies of infertility counselling program of Industrialized Countries and Policy Implication in Korea. Sejong (Korea): Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs;2015b.

Hwang NM., Jang I. Factors influencing the depression level of couples participating in the national supporting program for infertile couples. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2015. 26:179–89.

Kang EY. The study of psychosocial character of infertility women. Study Child Fam Behav. 2014. 12:1–16.

Kim RH., Lee WM., Kim YJ., Sung YM., Hoh JK., Han DW, et al. Current status of infertility counseling in Korea. Korean J Obstet Gynecol. 2011. 54:611–7.

Kwon JH. A Study on the current status of infertility counseling and the development of infertility counseling delivery system. Sejong (Korea): Ministry of Health and Welfare;2016.

Kwon JH. Infertility counseling as evidence-based practice. Korean J Woman Psychol. 2019. 24:87–104.

Lee SH. 2018. The Role and Mission of the Central Infertility and Depression Center. In : Paper presented at the 1st Symposium on the Central Infertility and Depression Center; Seoul, Korea. 2018, 4-26; Seoul: National Medical Center.

Lee YS., Choi SM., Kwon JH. Psychological predictor of infertile women’s distress. J Korean Soc Matern Child Health. 2019. 23:136–46.

Morgan DL. Focus groups as qualitative research. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage Publications;1997.

Nachtigall RD., Becker G., Wozny M. The effects of gender-specific diagnosis on men's and women's response to infertility. Fertil Steril. 1992. 57:113–21.

Oddens BJ., den Tonkelaar I., Nieuwenhuyse H. Psychosocial experiences in women facing fertility problems--a comparative survey. Hum Reprod. 1999. 14:255–61.

Statistics Korea. 2018 Total fertility rate [Internet]. Seoul (Korea): Statistics Korea;2019. [cited 2019 Feb 27]. Available from: http://kostat.go.kr/portal/korea/kor_nw/1/1/index.board?bmode=read&aSeq=373361.

Yi M., Kim JH., Park EY., Kim JN., Yu ES. Focus group study on psychosocial distress of cancer. J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2010. 22:19–30.