Empowering patients undergoing in vitro fertilization by providing Internet access to medical data.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of an Internet-based personal health record on the empowerment of patients undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Patients undergoing IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in an academic research environment.


METHODS
We selected patients who were undergoing an IVF or ICSI treatment, have an Internet connection, and speak fluent Dutch.


METHODS
An Internet-based personal health record that provides patients with general and personal information concerning their given treatment and that also provides facilities for communication with fellow patients and physicians.


METHODS
Patient empowerment (measured as a multidimensional concept consisting of self-efficacy, actual and perceived knowledge, and involvement in the decision process), patient satisfaction, meaning of infertility problems, social support, anxiety, and depression.


RESULTS
A total of 91 female and 89 male participants were suitable for analysis. No significant differences were observed in per person change in patient empowerment. We did not find any significant differences regarding per person change in patient satisfaction, the meaning of infertility problems, social support, anxiety, and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Usage of the personal health record did not have any effects on patient empowerment, but, at the same time, the study did not find that the personal health record had any significant adverse effects either.
Tuil
Wouter S
WS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. w.tuil@obgyn.umcn.nl <w.tuil@obgyn.umcn.nl>
Verhaak
Chris M
CM
Braat
Didi D M
DD
de Vries Robbé
Pieter F
PF
Kremer
Jan A M
JA
D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D033283:Patient Access to Records / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires