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. 2020 Dec;28(12):5733-5741.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05412-1. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Fertility navigators in female oncofertility care in an academic medical center: a qualitative evaluation

M van den Berg  1 , S Nadesapillai  2 , D D M Braat  2 , R P M G Hermens  3 , C C M Beerendonk  2
Affiliations

Fertility navigators in female oncofertility care in an academic medical center: a qualitative evaluation

M van den Berg et al. Support Care Cancer. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore patients' and professionals' experiences with fertility navigators in female oncofertility care.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with nine female cancer patients and six healthcare professionals to explore their experiences. They were recruited from an academic medical center (referral clinic for female fertility preservation care). Data were analyzed using the concepts of grounded theory.

Results: Patients were satisfied about the supportive role of the fertility navigator in their fertility preservation process: fertility navigators added value as they became "familiar faces" and provided information, emotional support, personal care, and served as patients' primary contact person. The fertility navigators had a pleasant collaboration with professionals and supported professionals by taking over tasks. To improve the role of fertility navigators, it was suggested that they should always be present in fertility preservation counseling, and attention should be paid to their availability to improve continuity of care.

Conclusion: Fertility navigators provide personal care, improve satisfaction in patients in their oncofertility process, and support professionals. The overview of issues that need to be addressed when assigning fertility navigators in female oncofertility care combined with the improvement suggestions could be used by other centers when considering implementing fertility navigators.

Keywords: Adolescent and young adult; Cancer; Fertility navigator; Fertility preservation; Oncofertility; Patient navigator.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Prof. Dr. D.D.M. Braat reports unrestricted grants from Ferring BV, Serono and Goodlife, outside the submitted work.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of patients’ experiences with fertility navigators
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