Initial investigation of the infertile couple. Pre-clinic request of investigations to facilitate diagnosis: utilising the waiting time to minimise delay.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of pre-clinic request of investigations to facilitate diagnosis in couples referred to the infertility clinic and to assess patient satisfaction of the concept.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study with analysis of patient satisfaction questionnaire. Investigation packs were sent to patients in advance of their clinic appointment. These contained written explanation about various fertility tests to enable patients to have investigations before their first clinic appointment. The results should then be available at the time of consultation enabling a diagnosis to be made at their first clinic visit.


RESULTS
Eighty percent (43/54) of couples had completed all the investigations requested by the time of their clinic appointment. The full investigation results of 41 couples were available at the time of consultation. From the available results, a diagnosis could be reached in 76% of couples at the first clinic visit. Twenty-three percent of couples were not happy with the concept of pre-clinic investigation and would prefer to come to clinic first to discuss these tests, even if that meant a delay in diagnosis. There appears to be a trend in age, with those who were satisfied with the concept of pre-clinic investigation being older. Older women seem to have an increasing sense of urgency with advancing age.


CONCLUSIONS
While the concept of pre-clinic request of investigations may not be suitable for every couple it does allow for early initiation of treatment in selected patients.
Kalu
Emmanuel
E
Assisted Conception unit, St Helier hospital, Wrythe lane, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 1AA, UK. ekalu@doctors.org.uk
Croucher
Carolyn
C
Sherriff
Elizabeth
E
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors