Search

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the Internet has a tremendous impact on modern society, including healthcare practice. The study aim was to characterize current Internet use by IVF and ICSI patients and to identify their preferences regarding Internet applications in fertility care. METHODS: A total of 163 couples with fertility problems awaiting an IVF or ICSI procedure in the University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands, was asked to complete a written questionnaire on Internet use in general, and also for fertility-related problems, preferences regarding Internet applications in fertility care and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The response rate was 82%. In total, 81% of infertile couples used the Internet. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed ethnic background and annual family income to be significant predictors of Internet use. Some 66% of Internet users and 54% of the total study population used the Internet for fertility-related problems. The female partners were the main Internet users with regard to fertility-related issues. In terms of preferences of the study participants, the majority favoured personal medical information online. CONCLUSIONS: Most infertile couples used the Internet with respect to fertility-related problems and were interested in implementation of Internet applications in fertility care. Healthcare providers should actively participate in the development and implementation of Internet applications in fertility care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A content analysis of chat utterances generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients and healthcare professionals revealed that most chat is about the treatment itself and not about childlessness; 56% discloses psychological aspects, 27% physical aspects, and 17% social aspects of the treatment; and that accounts of both external and internal coping behaviors could be identified.

Background: Nowadays, the Internet has a tremendous impact on modern society, including healthcare practice. The study aim was to characterize current Internet use by IVF and ICSI patients and to identify their preferences regarding Internet applications in fertility care., Methods: A total of 163 couples with fertility problems awaiting an IVF or ICSI procedure in the University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands, was asked to complete a written questionnaire on Internet use in general, and also for fertility-related problems, preferences regarding Internet applications in fertility care and demographic characteristics., Results: The response rate was 82%. In total, 81% of infertile couples used the Internet. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed ethnic background and annual family income to be significant predictors of Internet use. Some 66% of Internet users and 54% of the total study population used the Internet for fertility-related problems. The female partners were the main Internet users with regard to fertility-related issues. In terms of preferences of the study participants, the majority favoured personal medical information online., Conclusions: Most infertile couples used the Internet with respect to fertility-related problems and were interested in implementation of Internet applications in fertility care. Healthcare providers should actively participate in the development and implementation of Internet applications in fertility care.