Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Summary
Sharing bad news (SBN) is a daily challenge for fertility staff and patients. Bad news happens at all stages of fertility care and includes e.g., diagnosing infertility, reporting unexpected, repeated, or definitive treatment failure. Extensive evidence shows that SBN triggers stress in staff due to anticipation of negative emotions and evaluations or, in extreme cases, even complaints and lawsuits. Inability to manage bad news can increase negative emotions in patients and fuel distrust, potentially leading to treatment discontinuation. Efficient SBN training exists but does not address challenges of SBN in fertility care, does not meet fertility staff training and patient care preferences, and its impact on patients is unclear. fertiShare is a brief, evidence-based, e-Learning SBN course bespoke for fertility care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing fertiShare at fertility clinics and of implementing an online multi-centre RCT to determine fertiShare's efficacy. This will allow to conclude if fertiShare should proceed to efficacy evaluation. An international interdisciplinary stakeholder group (patients, consultants, embryologists, nurses, psychologists, digital educators) will inform all aspects of the proposed project.
Official title: Protocol for a Realist Evaluation and Feasibility RCT: Understanding and Developing a SPIKES-based eLearning Training Course Called fertiShare to Support Sharing Bad News Encounters Between Fertility Healthcare Professionals (FHPs) and Patients
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
420
Start Date
2024-10-08
Completion Date
2026-02-28
Last Updated
2025-07-29
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
fertiShare intervention - sharing bad news eLearning course
two-hour self-led eLearning course to support fertility staff in sharing bad news (SBN) with their patients organised in three modules. Module 1 explores definitions of bad news, why it is challenging to FHPs and patients, and the benefits of training. Module 2 offers SPIKES-based step-by-step guidance to ease SBNs. Module 3 offers guidance to cope with common challenges FHPs face: sharing bad news remotely, managing anger and uncertainty, and using good news to lessen the impact of bad news. Each module offers video content-based lessons, case studies that illustrate guidance and brief quizzes for self-reflection and assessment. Case studies show learners optimal and suboptimal approaches to SBN.
fertiShare control - basic communication skills eLearning course
self-led eLearning course branded as fertiShare but designed to emulate the basic communication training healthcare providers receive as they undergo their professional degrees. organised in three modules. Module 1 explores definitions of bad news, why it is challenging to FHPs and patients, and the benefits of training. Module 2 introduces the communication cycle and associated communication techniques. Module 3 offers guidance regarding other basic communication skills: empathic communication, non-verbal communication, active listening and remote consultations, and communicating the likelihood of positive or negative treatment outcomes. Each module offers video content-based lessons, case studies, and brief quizzes. All teaching elements remain at the basic level (remembering and understanding instead of analysing and applying).
Locations (5)
Aberdeen Fertility Centre
Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
King's Fertility
London, London, United Kingdom
Saint Mary's Hospital Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust
Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Wales Fertility Institute
Port Talbot, Port Talbot, United Kingdom