Reproductive advice - finding the Yin and Yang

Abstract

In Ireland, fertility education is modestly provided in schools and primary care and HSE approved contraception advice is not balanced by general and in particular adult life fertility advice when discussing contraceptive methods1. The primary aim of this quality improvement project (QIP) is to address the gap in fertility education provided alongside contraception advice. Through literature review and focus group discussion, this QIP introduces the "Your guide to Fertility" booklet which complements the HSE "Your Guide to Contraception" and provides comprehensive advice and basic information on female and male reproduction, ideal age for establishing a family, how a pregnancy establishes, certain cause for infertility and potential therapies if infertility diagnosed. We propose a plan-do-study-act cycle approach, with HSE deployment of this fertility booklet to services that provide contraception, and fertility services. Assessment of the booklets efficacy can then be assessed through patient satisfaction questionnaires.