Oncology Social Workers' Perceptions of Barriers to Discussing Fertility Preservation with Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT

Infertility is a common result of cancer treatment; however, opportunities exist that allow patients to preserve their fertility prior to treatment. Evidence suggests health care providers, including social workers, do not consistently discuss this topic with patients. This study used a qualitative, cross-sectional design using a focus group and in-depth interviews to explore knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and behaviors related to social workers' discussion of fertility preservation with cancer patients. Factors that influence the discussion of fertility preservation among social workers include: (1) Knowledge (e.g., Fertility Preservation Resources); (2) Attitudes (e.g., Cost, Perceived Role, Comfort Level, Fertility Preservation Discussion Difficulty/Priority); (3) Barriers (e.g., Cost, Urgency to start Treatment/Time, Patient Factors, Physician Attitudes/Beliefs); (4) Behaviors; and (5) Suggestions. Results show social workers are not typically discussing fertility preservation methods with patients; however, they may be in an ideal position to facilitate the conversation between the physician and the patient. There is a strong need to develop educational interventions aimed at oncology social workers, to help facilitate discussions with patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Fertility preservation
• cancer
• qualitative research
• social worker attitudes
• cancer survivorship

This work is supported in part by the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant # 93-032-10. The work contained within this publication was supported in part by the Survey Methods Core Facility at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Thanks to Mary Turney, LCSW Manager, Psychosocial & Palliative Care Program at the Cancer Center for her support in recruiting social workers. Thanks also to Karen Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN for her advisement of the Master's degree project.

Notes

1. ACS, Cancer facts and figures—2005 (ACS Publication No. 5008.05). Available at http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2006PWSecured.pdf.

2. National Cancer Institute (2006). Estimated U.S. cancer prevalence. Available at http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/prevalence/prevalence.html#age

3. http://www.moffitt.org/site.aspx?spid=2C9AD5376A2545AEBC60CB4F4CFB1EED

4. fertileHOPE is a nonprofit organization, partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, dedicated to helping cancer patients whose medical treatment present risk of infertility by providing reproductive information, support, and hope (www.fertilehope.org).