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"Based upon the survey data collected by Madeira et al. (3), the EngagedMD multimedia platform also better prepares clinicians for their conversation with patients and helps the patient to ask for more information about those issues that are most relevant to their goals and values."

What should UK clinics should know about a switch to electronic consent processes?

EngagedMD was featured in a study which set out to analyze how effectively a multimedia platform can help patients to understand risks. To quote the study results,

"A total of 3,097 patients/partners (49% of 6,333 survey questionnaires) who completed the multimedia platforms and answered the five key questions were analyzed, comprising 2,046 (66%) IVF modules and 1,051 (34%) OI-IUI treatment modules. Because this study did not track the respondents' progress through medical treatment, including whether they ultimately completed an ART procedure, it is unknown how many or which patients who completed the platform and the survey did not complete a cycle. The completed surveys included 1,554 (50%) respondents whose partners did not take the survey and 1,543 (50%) respondents who completed the survey with their partner. In general, the majority of respondents—3,056 (99%) of 3,097—felt that being properly informed about their care was either important or very important.

Overall, 2,472 (93%) of 2,661 patients felt the multimedia platform was intuitive to use, 2,421 (90%) of 2,699 thought it was of an appropriate length, and 2,553 (95%) of 2,699 found it to have an appropriate level of detail. In addition, 2,382 (89.4%) of 2,663 patients stated that the comprehension questions helped reinforce key concepts. Also, 2,946 (96%) of 3,097 respondents liked learning about IVF or OI-IUI treatment from the multimedia platform, and 3,001 (97%) of 3,097 participants felt its videos were a helpful addition to consultations with their medical team; 1,528 (49%) of 3,097 participants felt it answered many questions that they otherwise would have asked, and 1,390 (45%) of 3,097 found that it answered one or a few questions. Furthermore, 2,323 (86%) of 2,693 patients agreed or strongly agreed that the multimedia platform better prepared them to sign consent documents, 530 (77%) of 686 agreed or strongly agreed that it made them more comfortable pursuing treatment, and 2,229 (83%) 2,691 agreed or strongly agreed that it improved their satisfaction with their care."

As embryology laboratory and reproductive genetic testing continue to evolve, reproductive endocrinology nurses must be able to understand the impact of these tests and procedures to be comfortable and confident in the role of counselor and in obtaining informed consent from patients and their partners. Unfortunately, there are often gaps in education on embryology and genetic testing results, limiting their ability to effectively counsel over time. Fertility and Sterility recently published a study on the impact of an educational program on the knowledge base of nurses on those topics to determine both improvement in knowledge and confidence in their ability to counsel.

Entering the fertility space outside of owning a clinic is challenging. Entering the space as a tech company, well, that’s a whole other story. EngagedMD’s co-founders sat down with Griffin Jones of Fertility Bridge to share their experience building a tech startup in the fertility space and growing it into a company helping clinics across the country educate patients and provide informed consent. Click below to listen:

The growing importance of informed consent documentation