Top 10 priorities for future infertility research: an international consensus development study †‡

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCan the priorities for future research in infertility be identified?SUMMARY ANSWERThe top 10 research priorities for the four areas of male infertility, female and unexplained infertility, medically assisted reproduction and ethics, access and organization of care for people with fertility problems were identified.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYMany fundamental questions regarding the prevention, management and consequences of infertility remain unanswered. This is a barrier to improving the care received by those people with fertility problems.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONPotential research questions were collated from an initial international survey, a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and Cochrane systematic reviews. A rationalized list of confirmed research uncertainties was prioritized in an interim international survey. Prioritized research uncertainties were discussed during a consensus development meeting. Using a formal consensus development method, the modified nominal group technique, diverse stakeholders identified the top 10 research priorities for each of the categories male infertility, female and unexplained infertility, medically assisted reproduction and ethics, access and organization of care.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSHealthcare professionals, people with fertility problems and others (healthcare funders, healthcare providers, healthcare regulators, research funding bodies and researchers) were brought together in an...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research