Other Titles
Development of a Patient Decision Aid (PtDA) for South Korean couples undergoing In vitro fertilization (IVF) [Poster Title]
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a global health issue, and it is estimated that around 48million couples and 186 million individuals are affected worldwide1,2. South Korea is currently facing a significant demographic challenge, with a fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023—the lowest among OECD countries3. Notably, 9.3% of births in 2022 were from government-supported fertility treatments4. Despite an increasing proportion of births resulting from such treatments, there are still no established guidelines to protect couples' confidentiality.
Purpose: The purpose of this ongoing study is to develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) tailored for South Korean couples undergoing IVF treatment to facilitate the shared decision-making (SDM) process by outlining available treatment, care, and support options.
Method: Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) that conforms to IPDAS standards was chosen as the theoretical framework to guide the decision aid’s development and piloting5.
Results and Plans for Further Works: The ongoing development of the PtDA is proceeding in two phases: 1) construction phase and 2) pilot testing phase. In the construction phase, decisional needs assessment and content selection are conducted through systematic literature review. Commencing with focusing on couples’ ‘decisional needs’, systematic review will be utilized to identify existing decisional conflicts, knowledge gaps, and the specific values of couples undergoing IVF treatment. Balanced, evidence-based information on possible treatment options, including risks, benefits, and tools will be selected through systematic literature review6. During the pilot testing phase, we will conduct interviews with a representative sample of South Korean women undergoing IVF to evaluate the PtDA’s usability, clarity, and emotional impact. Feedback from these interviews will provide inform revisions of the PtDA to increase quality and effectiveness of couples' decision-making process.
Conclusion: This PtDA is being developed to assist couples in IVF treatment, focusing on informed, values-based choices. Beyond enhancing treatment quality, it also seeks to support higher birth rates in South Korea.
Notes
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2023). Infertility prevalence estimates: 1990–2021. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/366700
[2] Assaysh-Öberg, S., Borneskog, C., & Ternström, E. (2023). Women’s experience of infertility & treatment – A silent grief and failed care and support. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 37, 100879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100879
[3] OECD (2024), Society at a Glance 2024: OECD Social Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/918d8db3-en.
[4] Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2023). Measures for customized support for infertility and multiple children. http://www.mohw.go.kr
[5] Johnston, J. C., Smith, A. D., O’Connor, A., Benzies, K., Fitzpatrick, E. M., & Angus, D. (2009). The Development and Piloting of a Decision Aid for Parents Considering Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation for Their Child With Hearing Loss. The Volta Review, 109(2/3), 121–141. https://doi.org/10.17955/tvr.109.2.3.613
[6] O’Connor, A. M., Bennett, C. L., Stacey, D., Barry, M., Col, N. F., Eden, K. B., Entwistle, V. A., Fiset, V., Holmes-Rovner, M., Khangura, S., Llewellyn-Thomas, H., & Rovner, D. (2003). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001431
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Instrument and Tool Development, Implementation Science, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Infertility, In Vitro Fertilization, IVF, South Korea
Recommended Citation
Lim, SooYeon and Park, Sihyun, "Development of a Patient Decision Aid for South Korean Couples Undergoing IVF" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 80.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/80
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Development of a Patient Decision Aid for South Korean Couples Undergoing IVF
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Infertility is a global health issue, and it is estimated that around 48million couples and 186 million individuals are affected worldwide1,2. South Korea is currently facing a significant demographic challenge, with a fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023—the lowest among OECD countries3. Notably, 9.3% of births in 2022 were from government-supported fertility treatments4. Despite an increasing proportion of births resulting from such treatments, there are still no established guidelines to protect couples' confidentiality.
Purpose: The purpose of this ongoing study is to develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) tailored for South Korean couples undergoing IVF treatment to facilitate the shared decision-making (SDM) process by outlining available treatment, care, and support options.
Method: Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) that conforms to IPDAS standards was chosen as the theoretical framework to guide the decision aid’s development and piloting5.
Results and Plans for Further Works: The ongoing development of the PtDA is proceeding in two phases: 1) construction phase and 2) pilot testing phase. In the construction phase, decisional needs assessment and content selection are conducted through systematic literature review. Commencing with focusing on couples’ ‘decisional needs’, systematic review will be utilized to identify existing decisional conflicts, knowledge gaps, and the specific values of couples undergoing IVF treatment. Balanced, evidence-based information on possible treatment options, including risks, benefits, and tools will be selected through systematic literature review6. During the pilot testing phase, we will conduct interviews with a representative sample of South Korean women undergoing IVF to evaluate the PtDA’s usability, clarity, and emotional impact. Feedback from these interviews will provide inform revisions of the PtDA to increase quality and effectiveness of couples' decision-making process.
Conclusion: This PtDA is being developed to assist couples in IVF treatment, focusing on informed, values-based choices. Beyond enhancing treatment quality, it also seeks to support higher birth rates in South Korea.
Description
South Korea is currently facing a critical demographic challenge, with a fertility rate among the lowest in OECD countries, highlighting the need for supportive fertility treatment tools. This study aims to develop a Patient Decision Aid (PtDA) for South Korean couples undergoing IVF. The PtDA provides evidence-based information on treatment options to facilitate shared decision-making, enhancing the quality of their treatment experience, and supporting the national birth rate.