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The Information Needs of Consumers of Elective Egg Freezing
(The ICE Study)
Interest and uptake of elective egg freezing to preserve fertility has increased dramatically over the last decade. However, there is little information available to help consumers make informed decisions about whether EEF is the right choice for them. This study will address this research gap by generating new knowledge about what is involved both physically and emotionally in the egg freezing process, as well as what factors optimise success rates for women returning to use their eggs. An consumer information portal will be developed and evaluated in partnership with consumers to ensure the content is relevant, clear, and informative. 

The aim of this project is to develop a consumer information portal for women who want to know about EEF. Using co-production methods, we aim to: 
  1. Conduct quantitative modelling of Australian EEF data to:
    • describe trends in EEF including usage and return rates, and 
    • determine the predictors for returning for treatment and for treatment success 
  2. Identify the information needs of women interested in EEF, including what success means for them and the barriers and facilitators for information uptake and use 
  3. Develop a consumer information portal that addresses what consumers want to know and to support and inform EEF decision making 
  4. Evaluate consumers’ perceptions, of the acceptability and usefulness of the consumer information portal.

WORKING PARTY:

A/Prof Michelle Peate (University of Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital), Ms Lucy Caughey (University of Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital), Prof. Georgina Chambers (University of New South Wales), Dr Devora Lieberman (City Fertility), Dr Karin Hammerberg (Monash University), Dr Tessa Copp (University of New South Wales), Dr Iolanda Rodino (Royal Women’s Hospital),  Dr Elena Keller (University of New South Wales), Celeste Wilson (University of New South Wales), Dr. Sarah Cavanagh (General Practitioner), Ms Anna Parle (Consumer Lead), Ms Eliza Burke-Polden (consumer representative), Ms Astari Kusumawardani (consumer representative), Ms Andrea Rawluck (consumer representative), Ms Irma Sain (consumer representative), Ms Anna Mikelsons (​consumer representative)