Fertility Knowledge and Educational Experiences of Graduating Medical Students: A Multi-Institution Survey [ID: 1363003

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data regarding medical students' knowledge and education in fertility and reproductive life planning (RLP). Our goal was to assess fertility knowledge and educational experiences of graduating medical students to determine knowledge gaps and goals for future educational interventions. METHODS: Institutional review board-waived, online cross-sectional questionnaire was disseminated to graduating medical students at five participating institutions. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 815 graduating medical students, and 117 (14.4%) completed the survey. Twenty-three (22%) overestimated the age of most precipitous fertility decline and 50 (52%) overestimated the chance of getting pregnant for a 40-year-old couple. One-third of students (30, 32%) incorrectly believe that physicians have equivalent infertility rates to the general population. Students were less cognizant of male fertility issues, incorrectly believing there was no negative effect on male fertility by age (43, 42%), certain sexual lubricants (73, 72%), and gonorrhea or chlamydia infections (45, 44%). Seventy-five (81%) report less than 5 hours of fertility-related education in medical school. Only 30 (32%) are satisfied or very satisfied with the fertility and family-building education they received. In an open-response survey question, students expressed interest in more education on transgender and cancer patient care, fertility preservation, assisted reproductive technologies, and RLP for medical professionals. CONCLUSION: This study identified deficits in medical student knowledge regarding fertility and RLP. This poses an opportunity for medical training programs to improve the amount and content of fertility-related education, both for their students' personal RLP and their ability to provide accurate, effective counseling for their patients.