Et nummer i rækken – Et kvalitativt projekt omhandlende oplevelser og behov for sygeplejefaglig støtte hos par i fertilitetsbehandling

Resumé
Baggrund
WHO definerer infertilitet som en sygdom. I 2021 blev 10% af danske børn født som følge af fertilitetsbehandling. Behandlingen er forbundet med flere psykosociale konsekvenser. Blandt dem, der gennemgår fertilitetsbehandling, er 90% heteroseksuelle par.
Formål
At undersøge, hvordan sygeplejersker kan støtte og dermed imødekomme behov hos heteroseksuelle par i fertilitetsbehandling i det offentlige sundhedsvæsen, set fra et patientperspektiv
Metode
Da der fandtes sparsom litteratur på området, blev den induktive tilgang valgt med udførelse af seks kvalitative semistrukturerede interviews med tre heteroseksuelle par, analyseret gennem tematisk analyse
Resultater
Der blev identificeret fem temaer, som afspejler individuelle oplevelser og behov hos parrene. Tendenser, hvor især følelsen af at være et nummer i rækken, at sygeplejersken ikke er orienteret i journal og ikke at blive set som det hele menneske dannede redundans interviewene imellem
Konklusion
På baggrund af resultaterne fandtes, at parrene ønskede sygeplejefaglig støtte i deres behandling. Sygeplejerskens støtte findes i at have fokus på det psykiske aspekt, spørge ind til parret og at være orienteret i patientjournalen, herunder at have kendskab til sygdomshistorik, forløb samt parrets navne. I projektets empiri fandtes yderligere et behov for, at parret som helhed anerkendtes i behandlingen, da kvinden ofte oplevede sig alene og manden oplevede sig negligeret. Disse behov blev understøttet som almengyldige af forskning i diskussionen.

English abstract 

Just another case in line – A qualitative study of experiences and needs for nursing support among couples in fertility treatment

Background
The WHO defines infertility as a disease, and in 2021, 10% of children born in Denmark were conceived through fertility treatment. Fertility treatment is associated with several psychosocial consequences, and among those undergoing treatment, 90% are heterosexual couples.
Aim
To explore how nurses can support and meet the needs of heterosexual couples in fertility treatment in the public healthcare system, from a patient perspective.
Method
Due to the limited existing literature, an inductive approach was chosen. Six qualitative semi‑structured interviews were conducted with three heterosexual couples and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Five themes were identified, reflecting couples’ individual experiences and needs. Across the interviews, recurrent patterns emerged, particularly the feeling of “just being a number in line”, that nurses were not familiar with the patient record, and not being seen as whole persons.
Conclusion
The findings show that couples want nursing support throughout their treatment. Such support includes a focus on the psychological dimension, asking about the couple as a unit, and being well acquainted with the patient record, including medical history, treatment course, and the couple’s names. The empirical data further indicate a need for the couple as a whole to be recognised in the treatment process, as women often felt alone and men felt overlooked. These needs were supported as generalisable by the research included in the discussion.

Keywords: Infertility, fertility treatment, couples, nursing support, psychosocial needs, qualitative study.