EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND GYNECOLOGISTS WITH INFERTILITY PATIENTS: AN EXPLANATORY STUDY
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Keywords
Infertility, mental health professionals, gynacologist, emotional unstable
Abstract
Objective: Infertility is a disease suffered by individuals in which women are unable to conceive or opt for pregnancy. The duration of infertility is determined approximately 12 months after unprotected sexual duration. One in every six individuals experienced or suffered from the disease of infertility across their lifetime. The current study aims to comprehensively explore the challenges faced by gynaecologists and mental health professionals while treating individuals with infertility.
Method: The Qualitative study was conducted through purposive sampling by selecting the professionals (Gynacologists=9, clinical psychologists=4,) with having a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 29 years of experience working with the patients working with the infertility. A total of 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed by researcher (MR, QI). The transcripts were analyzed using a systematic approach that incorporates inductive thematic analysis.
Results: The themes that emerged after analyses were combined under the two main professionals: Gynecologists professionals and Mental health professionals. The main results indicated that the mental health professionals indicated the three main themes these are; emotional well-being, collaboration with gynacologist and coping strategies, although the other themes were emotional impact, patient center approach and diagnostic and treatment problems while dealing with infertility patients.
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Dr. Fahmida Naheed
Gynacologist, Assistant Professor, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta
Dr. Mohsin Aliemuddin
Psychiatrist, PAF Hospital, Sargodha
Iqra Batool
Lecturer Superior University, Lahore
Dr. Mirrat Gul Butt
Senior Clinical Psychologist at Mayo Hospital, Lahore