Enhancing
the Embryo Donation Process:
An
Exploration of Couples’ Attitudes & Developing Communications
Strategies and Tools
This project will build upon what is currently known about how couples make decisions about what to do with their excess embryos, including donation, and build a bridge from that learning to messaging and communications strategies and tools that will allow the ART and embryo donation and/or adoption fields to help couples engage in a more productive and fulfilling decision-making process, including consideration of embryo donation.
The relatively thin body of research into the decision-making process couples go through when it comes to deciding what to do with excess embryos reveals: 1) it is a wrenching process; 2) couples’ intentions at the beginning of IVF treatment bear little if any resemblance to final decisions (if couples make a decision at all); and 3) couples want more and better information and support from ART personnel throughout the decision-making process.
This project will 1) add to the current learning by bringing the same type of learning and exploration used in the communications field to questions surrounding couples’ decision-making process; 2) develop messaging, communications strategies, and prototype communications tools (e.g. videos, brochures); 3) pilot test the messaging, strategies, and prototype communications tools in ART clinics; 4) evaluate the pilot test; and 5) disseminate findings to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the entire field.
To learn more about the project please contact us.