Shelun Tsai1, Tracy Truong2, Jennifer L Eaton3. 1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, 5601 Arringdon Park Drive, Suite 210, Durham, NC, 27560, USA. set9051@med.cornell.edu. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, 2424 Erwin Road, Suite 1102 Hock Plaza, Box 2721, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. 3. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate knowledge of age-related fertility decline and oocyte cryopreservation among resident physicians in obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) compared to residents in other specialties. METHODS: An online survey was sent to the US residency program directors for ob-gyn, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry. They were asked to forward the survey to their respective residents. The survey consisted of three sections: fertility knowledge, oocyte cryopreservation knowledge, and attitudes toward family building and fertility preservation. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare outcomes between ob-gyn and non-ob-gyn residents. RESULTS: Of the 2,828 completed surveys, 450 (15.9%) were by ob-gyn residents and 2,378 (84.1%) were by residents in other specialties. 66.3% of respondents were female. The median number of correct answers was 2 out of 5 on the fertility knowledge section and 1 out of 3 on the oocyte cryopreservation knowledge section among both ob-gyn and non-ob-gyn residents. After adjusting for covariates, residents in ob-gyn were no more likely to answer these questions correctly than residents in other specialties (fertility knowledge, adjusted OR .97, 95% CI .88-1.08; oocyte cryopreservation knowledge, adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI .92-1.19). Ob-gyn residents were significantly more likely than non-ob-gyn residents to feel "somewhat supported" or "very supported" by their program to pursue family building goals (83.5% vs. 75.8%, OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.23-2.14). CONCLUSIONS: Resident physicians, regardless of specialty, have limited knowledge of natural fertility decline and the opportunity to cryopreserve oocytes. These data suggest need for improved fertility education.
PURPOSE: To evaluate knowledge of age-related fertility decline and oocyte cryopreservation among resident physicians in obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) compared to residents in other specialties. METHODS: An online survey was sent to the US residency program directors for ob-gyn, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry. They were asked to forward the survey to their respective residents. The survey consisted of three sections: fertility knowledge, oocyte cryopreservation knowledge, and attitudes toward family building and fertility preservation. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare outcomes between ob-gyn and non-ob-gyn residents. RESULTS: Of the 2,828 completed surveys, 450 (15.9%) were by ob-gyn residents and 2,378 (84.1%) were by residents in other specialties. 66.3% of respondents were female. The median number of correct answers was 2 out of 5 on the fertility knowledge section and 1 out of 3 on the oocyte cryopreservation knowledge section among both ob-gyn and non-ob-gyn residents. After adjusting for covariates, residents in ob-gyn were no more likely to answer these questions correctly than residents in other specialties (fertility knowledge, adjusted OR .97, 95% CI .88-1.08; oocyte cryopreservation knowledge, adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI .92-1.19). Ob-gyn residents were significantly more likely than non-ob-gyn residents to feel "somewhat supported" or "very supported" by their program to pursue family building goals (83.5% vs. 75.8%, OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.23-2.14). CONCLUSIONS: Resident physicians, regardless of specialty, have limited knowledge of natural fertility decline and the opportunity to cryopreserve oocytes. These data suggest need for improved fertility education.
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