The development and phase 1 evaluation of a Decision Aid for elective egg freezing

Sherine Sandhu; Martha Hickey; Raelia Lew; Karin Hammarberg; Sabine Braat; Franca Agresta; Anna Parle; Catherine Allingham; Eggsurance Collaborative Group; Michelle Peate

doi:10.1186/s12911-023-02178-4

The development and phase 1 evaluation of a Decision Aid for elective egg freezing

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2023 May 5;23(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12911-023-02178-4.

Authors

Collaborators

Eggsurance Collaborative Group:
William Ledger, Jane Fisher, Louise Johnson, Janet Michelmore, Fiona Summers, Roger Hart, Robert J Norman, Devora Lieberman, Richard A Anderson

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, Cnr Grattan Street & Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. sherine.sandhu@unimelb.edu.au.
² Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, Cnr Grattan Street & Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Reproductive Services Unit, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ MISCH (Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical and Health) Research Hub, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ Melbourne IVF, Melbourne, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Elective egg freezing decisions are complex. We developed a Decision Aid for elective egg freezing and conducted a phase 1 study to evaluate its acceptability and utility for decision-making.

Methods: The online Decision Aid was developed according to International Patient Decision Aid Standards and evaluated using a pre/post survey design. Twenty-six Australian women aged 18-45 years, interested in receiving elective egg freezing information, proficient in English, and with access to the internet were recruited using social media and university newsletters. Main outcomes were: acceptability of the Decision Aid; feedback on the Decision Aid design and content; concern raised by the Decision Aid, and; utility of the Decision Aid as measured by scores on the Decisional Conflict Scale and on a study-specific scale assessing knowledge about egg freezing and age-related infertility.

Results: Most participants found the Decision Aid acceptable (23/25), balanced (21/26), useful for explaining their options (23/26), and for reaching a decision (18/26). Almost all reported satisfaction with the Decision Aid (25/26) and the level of guidance it provided (25/26). No participant reported serious concerns about the Decision Aid, and most would recommend it to other women considering elective egg freezing (22/26). Median Decisional Conflict Scale score decreased from 65/100 (Interquartile range: 45-80) pre-Decision Aid to 7.5/100 (Interquartile range: 0-37.5) post-Decision Aid review (p < 0.001). Median knowledge score increased from 8.5/14 (Interquartile range: 7-11) pre-Decision Aid to 11/14 (Interquartile range: 10-12) post-Decision Aid review (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: This elective egg freezing Decision Aid appears acceptable and useful for decision-making. It improved knowledge, reduced decisional conflict and did not raise serious concerns. The Decision Aid will be further evaluated using a prospective randomised control trial.

Study registration: ACTRN12618001685202 (retrospectively registered: 12 October 2018).

Keywords: Decision Aid; Decision support; Elective egg freezing; Fertility preservation; Information; Phase 1; Planned oocyte cryopreservation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical Trial, Phase I
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Decision Support Techniques
Female
Fertility Preservation*
Humans
Knowledge
Prospective Studies

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12618001685202