Reconsidering the process of informed consent in assisted reproductive technology: experiences and implications for practice

A patient’s conscious decision to voluntarily undergo a therapeutic treatment is called informed consent (IC). The aim of IC is to provide information about health and treatment options and increase patient’s participation in healthcare decision-making. IC therefore honors the ethical principles of human autonomy and self-determination. In the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the process of communication and mutual understanding between patient and doctor (the IC process) is a current and relevant issue due to its medical, ethical and psychological implications. This exploratory research aims to understand how couples with infertility problems relate to the ART IC, and it proposes the innovative experience of IC conversations with a psychologist. It also provides practical advice on a better use of IC process in ART centers.