Stevenson Submits STTI/American Nurses Foundation Application
Kudos to Eleanor Stevenson for the submission of her application to Sigma Theta Tau, International/American Nurses Foundation entitled “Cognitive and Affective Domains of Learning for Men and Severe Male Factor Infertility." This proposal requests funding for a one-year period with a start date of October 1.
Abstract: Infertile men have many unmet needs during the infertility experience related to their understanding of the process and associated psychosocial sequelae, therefore the objective of this study is to identify, evaluate and modify content that addresses the informational and psychosocial needs of men with male-factor infertility (MFI) during the infertility process. Aim 1: Explore and identify the informational needs about the infertility process for men with MFI. Aim 2: Explore and identify the psychosocial needs of men with MFI to address associated depression, sexual function, distress, and grief/loss during infertility process.
Significance: Research about MFI is lacking due to a focus on the female partner during fertility treatment; yet MFI contributes to 30-50% of infertility, affecting 15% U.S. couples, and 186 million people globally. During the infertility process, men have knowledge deficits about their fertility challenges, and lack basic knowledge about causes and risks that infertility may pose to their health. This process is compounded by their psychosocial challenges including depression, sexual dysfunction, distress, and grief. Additionally, most Americans lack insurance coverage for fertility treatment which contributes to the complexity of treatment decision making.
Methods: A qualitative focus group design will be used in this two-phase study. This study will be conducted in two urology practices in Durham, NC and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom (UK) to allow comparison of needs across settings that differ in how infertility care is payed. Phase 1: 6 focus groups of men (4-6 in each) with MFI (3 groups in US, 3 in UK) will be conducted. Phase 2: Focus groups of two multidisciplinary health care teams (1 US, 1 UK) will be conducted to develop a conceptual model framing information and psychosocial needs based on Phase 1 findings. Using convenience sampling, men less than 50, have been referred due to suspected or diagnosed MFI, can read/write English, no living children, or vasectomy will be invited. MFI and multidisciplinary team focus groups will be recorded, transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis as described by Hsieh & Shannon. Multidisciplinary focus groups will be centered on responding to the beginning categories and themes that were identified in Phase 1. Deliverables at the end of these meetings include: specific informational and psychosocial topics to be included, and how this interactive tool will operate and be distributed to patients by the provider.
Nursing implications: This data is essential groundwork for next steps: obtaining NIH R-level funding for creating a comprehensive interactive self-management education and support programs to be made available by health care providers to support men with MFI during the infertility process. The development of these systems will enhance the interaction of men with multidisciplinary health care providers to meet their diverse health care needs.