Organizational determinants of patient-centered fertility care: a multilevel analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify organizational determinants of positive patient experiences with fertility care, with the goal of improving patient centeredness of care.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
One large university clinic and 12 medium-sized fertility clinics in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Three hundred and sixty-nine couples receiving medically assisted reproduction in one of the participating clinics between March and May 2008.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Organizational determinants of patients' experiences with patient centeredness in fertility care.


RESULTS
Of the patients during the relevant period, 78% of the women and 76% of their partners participated in the study. Infertile couples who have a lead physician, have access to an electronic personal health record, or see trained fertility nurses have more positive experiences with aspects of patient-centered care, like continuity of care and partner involvement. Moreover, receiving a treatment other than in vitro fertilization was negatively associated with the perceived patient centeredness of care. The identified determinants explained 5.1% to 22.4% of the total variance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides organizational determinants of patients' experiences with fertility care on numerous facets of patient centeredness. These organizational determinants can be used as valuable tools to enable clinics to provide a more positive patient experience.
van Empel
Inge W H
IW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. i.vanempel@obgyn.umcn.nl
Hermens
Rosella P M G
RP
Akkermans
Reinier P
RP
Hollander
Kees W P
KW
Nelen
Willianne L D M
WL
Kremer
Jan A M
JA
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult