Shuhan Liu
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Sheau Yun Melody Ku
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Design Science/UMHS / Engineering
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 5 (2:40pm – 3:30pm)
Authors: Sheau Yun Melody Ku, Shuhan Liu, Kaitlyn Anderson
Abstract
We know that uncertainty, especially around situations that are very important to the person experiencing it, can cause an influx of many emotions, thoughts, and concerns. However, we don’t have a lot of knowledge on the patterns of these emotions and thoughts during the various stages of IVF treatment and how exactly patients experience these emotions. It is important to know the emotions and concerns that patients have during the IVF process in order to better understand patients’ experiences while going through IVF treatment. I looked at the survey responses of 10 patients, which had information on the patients’ experiences throughout the entire treatment. I found that anxiety and excitement were experienced most frequently by patients, especially when the patients were transitioning from one stage of treatment to the next. As for the patients’ concerns, I found that they tend to be more concerned about the procedures involved with their treatment and how they will handle it at the beginning of the treatment, and then they begin to become more concerned with how their treatment is progressing at the end. My conclusions show that many patients have similar emotions and concerns during the stages of IVF treatment and that each stage has its own unique pattern of emotions. By knowing what emotions IVF patients will likely be experiencing during each stage of treatment, doctors can know how to better treat and support their patients. For example, doctors will know when it is important to reassure their patients by knowing what parts of treatments patients experience a lot of anxiety and when it is important to address certain concerns.
