Cancer and Fertility Program Improves Patient Satisfaction With Information Received

Purpose A cancer and fertility program was established at a large cancer center to support clinicians in discussing treatment-related fertility risks and fertility preservation (FP) options with patients and in referring patients to reproductive specialists. The program provides resources, clinician education, and fertility clinical nurse specialist consultation. This study evaluated the program's impact on patient satisfaction with information received. Patients and Methods Retrospective cross-sectional surveys assessed satisfaction before (cohort 1 [C1]) and after (cohort 2 [C2]) program initiation. Questionnaires were investigator-designed, gender-specific, and anonymous. Results Most C1 (150 males, 271 females) and C2 (120 males, 320 females) respondents were 2 years postdiagnosis; the most frequently reported cancers were testicular, breast, and lymphoma. A significant difference in satisfaction with the amount of information received was seen between C1 and C2. For males, satisfaction with information on fertility risks was high in both cohorts but significantly greater in C2 for information on sperm banking (chi(2)=9.3, P=.01) and finding a sperm bank (chi(2)=13.3, P=.001). For females, satisfaction with information was significantly greater in C2 for information on fertility risks (chi(2)=62.1, P<.001), FP options (chi(2)=71.9, P<.001), help with decision making (chi(2)=80.2, P<.001), and finding a reproductive endocrinologist (chi(2)=60.5, P<.001). Among patients who received and read information materials, 96% of males and 99% of females found them helpful. Among C2 females, fertility clinical nurse specialist consultation was associated with significantly greater satisfaction with information on FP options (chi(2)=11.2, P=.004), help with decision making (chi(2)=10.4, P=.006), and finding a reproductive endocrinologist (chi(2)=22.6, P<.001), with 10% reporting lack of knowledge as a reason for not pursuing FP. Conclusion Improvements in patient satisfaction with information received demonstrate the potential for fertility programs in cancer care settings to improve the quality of clinician-patient discussions about fertility.