 Congratulations to Zobaida Edib whose thesis The development of an infertility risk prediction tool for young women with breast cancer was recently accepted. Dr Edib was supervised by A/Prof Michelle Peate, A/Prof Yasmin Jayasinghe, Prof Martha Hickey, K Nguyen & A Gorelik.
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 | The Menopause Priority Setting Partnership (MAPS) ran an historical workshop to identify gaps in research about menopause, as identified by people with lived experience and healthcare professionals. The process identified the Top 10 priorities for future menopause research. For more information about this research project please go to: https://obgyn.uchicago.edu/research/menopause-priority-setting-partnership |
Women who have experienced menopause, together with health workers from the UK, USA and Australia, got to determine what topics and specific questions will be prioritised for research. As global collaboration it was incredible to participate and listen to women’s experiences of menopause. So empowering for women to contribute to research about their mind and bodies. Congrats to all involved in MAPS - Menopause Priority Setting Partnership.
Hereditary cancer is more common than you might think by Jacqueline Hunter, University of Melbourne
10/7/2024
Cancer touches nearly every Australian, with one in two people facing a diagnosis by the age of 85. Around two in ten children diagnosed with cancer are now thought to carry a heritable cancer gene. The ripple effects reach far beyond the individual, impacting families, friends and entire communities.
Understanding your genetic cancer risk enables informed healthcare decisions. Wendy Berill, facing terminal cancer, shares her journey to emphasise the importance of genetic testing.
To read more about Wendy's story by Jacqueline Hunter, University of Melbourne: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/hereditary-cancer-is-more-common-than-you-might-think
Lucy Caughey presents at the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference 2024
9/16/2024
Lucy Caughey presented at the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference 2024. "Such an honour to be presenting at the FSANZ Annual Meeting in Perth. Lots of interest in the topical issue of what elective egg freezers’ should do with their surplus or unused eggs in storage – this is called a disposition decision", Lucy Caughey.
Lucy presented on Saturday the 14th of September on Elective Egg Freezers’ Disposition Decisions Helping Patients to Make Informed Decisions and on Tuesday the 17th of September on Elective Egg Freezers’ Disposition Decisions. The Pathways to Donate or Discard.
Lucy is a PhD scholar completing her thesis on Elective Egg Freezers’ Disposition Decisions at the University of Melbourne. Her area of interest is helping elective egg freezers’ make informed decisions to reduce psychological distress and decision regret.
Lucy holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology) with First Class Honours from QUT and is based at the Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne.
Lucy is currently involved in the ICE study, a collaboration between consumers and researchers exploring the information needs of elective egg freezers. The ICE study has the goal of setting up an independent trusted website to provide information for elective egg freezers.
Navigating the Controversy: Unraveling the Dynamics of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Add-ons
1/15/2024
Introduction
In the intricate world of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), the inclusion of add-ons has stirred considerable controversy. These additional procedures, offered with the intention of enhancing live birth rates, have sparked debates due to limited evidence supporting their efficacy and safety. The VALUE Study, a qualitative exploration, delves into the decision-making process surrounding the use of IVF add-ons, shedding light on the perspectives of both patients and health professionals.
Understanding the Controversy
The backdrop of the VALUE Study centres on the polarizing nature of IVF add-ons. Despite their questionable effectiveness and the financial burden they place on patients, these procedures remain popular. The study seeks to address the gaps in understanding by investigating the factors influencing decision-making, sources of information, and concerns regarding safety and effectiveness.
Study Design
The VALUE Study employs a qualitative, semi-structured interview approach, employing inductive thematic analysis of anonymized transcriptions. Participants, comprising patients (n=25) and health professionals, including embryologists (n=25) and clinicians (n=24), were recruited from diverse clinical settings in the UK and Australia, encompassing both public and private sectors.
Key Findings
Conclusion
The VALUE Study brings to light the nuanced dynamics between patients and professionals in the realm of IVF add-ons. While patients value autonomy in decision-making, professionals stress the critical importance of informed consent. Bridging the gap in discourse is essential, offering an opportunity to enhance the quality of communication between these two crucial stakeholders. As the debate on IVF add-ons continues, the study suggests that a more informed and collaborative approach could pave the way for improved patient outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies.
Read more here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10373702/
Citation: Armstrong S, Vaughan E, Lensen S, Caughey L, Farquhar C, Pacey A, Balen M, Peate M, Wainwright E. Patient and professional perspectives about using in vitro fertilisation add-ons in the UK and Australia: a qualitative study. BMJ Open
Acknowledgements: ChatGPT was used to generate this content
In the intricate world of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), the inclusion of add-ons has stirred considerable controversy. These additional procedures, offered with the intention of enhancing live birth rates, have sparked debates due to limited evidence supporting their efficacy and safety. The VALUE Study, a qualitative exploration, delves into the decision-making process surrounding the use of IVF add-ons, shedding light on the perspectives of both patients and health professionals.
Understanding the Controversy
The backdrop of the VALUE Study centres on the polarizing nature of IVF add-ons. Despite their questionable effectiveness and the financial burden they place on patients, these procedures remain popular. The study seeks to address the gaps in understanding by investigating the factors influencing decision-making, sources of information, and concerns regarding safety and effectiveness.
Study Design
The VALUE Study employs a qualitative, semi-structured interview approach, employing inductive thematic analysis of anonymized transcriptions. Participants, comprising patients (n=25) and health professionals, including embryologists (n=25) and clinicians (n=24), were recruited from diverse clinical settings in the UK and Australia, encompassing both public and private sectors.
Key Findings
- Patient Decision-making: Patients often base their decisions on hope, downplaying considerations of safety, efficacy, or cost. The allure of add-ons lies in the prospect of improving chances, and a professional opinion significantly influences their choices.
- Professional Perspectives: Health professionals, on the other hand, prioritize the best outcomes for their patients. They are keen on avoiding unnecessary financial burdens and emphasize evidence-based decision-making. Interestingly, they perceive the use of add-ons as patient-driven.
- Challenges in Applying Evidence: Both patients and professionals face challenges in applying available evidence to individual circumstances. In the realm of IVF medicine, where stakes are high, making informed decisions becomes especially complex.
Conclusion
The VALUE Study brings to light the nuanced dynamics between patients and professionals in the realm of IVF add-ons. While patients value autonomy in decision-making, professionals stress the critical importance of informed consent. Bridging the gap in discourse is essential, offering an opportunity to enhance the quality of communication between these two crucial stakeholders. As the debate on IVF add-ons continues, the study suggests that a more informed and collaborative approach could pave the way for improved patient outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies.
Read more here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10373702/
Citation: Armstrong S, Vaughan E, Lensen S, Caughey L, Farquhar C, Pacey A, Balen M, Peate M, Wainwright E. Patient and professional perspectives about using in vitro fertilisation add-ons in the UK and Australia: a qualitative study. BMJ Open
Acknowledgements: ChatGPT was used to generate this content
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