fertiShare Evaluation

This study is primarily for fertility clinic staff whose job involves regularly sharing difficult news with patients, at least about half a day a week. They need to be working at one of the clinics taking part in the study.

For patients, you might be asked to take part if you have recently, within the last month, received bad news from one of the participating staff members. This bad news typically means that your first or second full IVF cycle, including fresh and frozen embryo transfers, didn't result in a pregnancy.

To be in the study, both staff and patients need to be adults (18 or over), able to read, speak, and understand English, and be able to give their consent to take part. Staff also need to be able to complete the online training, for example, not have severe visual impairments that would prevent them. The study avoids including people who are considered especially vulnerable. If you're concerned about your mental health, you're advised not to participate and to talk to your GP or NHS mental health services.

If you are a fertility clinic staff member, you would either take the new 'fertiShare' online course or a standard communication skills online course. Both courses are short. Staff will apply what they learn in their daily interactions with patients. If you are a patient, your experience will be observed if you receive care from a participating staff member. You would be asked if you received difficult news from participating staff within the last month. The study will track how these conversations are happening and their impact. There are no specific visits, extra assessments, or medications involved for patients. The total duration for staff participation relates to the length of the e-learning and then applying it in their role.