Introduction: Patient experience with health care presents an essential component in assessing health care quality. This is particularly important in the field of infertility treatment and assisted reproductive techniques, as one third of infertile couples do not give birth to a child after completing treatment. In addition to treatment outcome indicators, process indicators such as patient satisfaction are consequently very important. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the level of satisfaction of female patients with health care in the in-vitro procedure in Slovenia and to highlight areas of health care where patient satisfaction is lowest. Methods: We used descriptive methodology in order to carry out the research. We designed a survey questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The questionnaire was created with the help of the open-source web application 1Ka. 1010 women participated in it. We also conducted 13 interviews. Results: Quantitative results showed an overall high level of satisfaction with health care. Respondents expressed the highest satisfaction with the physical aspect of health care (x̅ = 3.33, s = 0.890) as well as with communication (x̅ = 2.89, s = 0.927) and informational support (x̅ = 3.00, s = 1.006). The lowest level of satisfaction was observed in regard to the holistic, patient-centered approach to treatment (x̅ = 2.69, s = 1.021), emotional support (x̅ = 2.67, s = 1.012) and the organizational aspect of medical treatment (x̅ = 2.76, s = 0.949). Meanwhile, the qualitative results were dominated by descriptions of negative experiences with health care and suggestions for improvement. Discussion and conclusion: Patients expressed an extremely positive attitude in relation to the clinical environment, use of technologically advanced medical equipment and hygiene standards, as well as in regard to pain relief during and after ovarian puncture. They were also of the opinion that the staff provided a sufficient amount of information and maintained an appropriate form of communication throughout the treatment, using understandable terms. The lowest level of satisfaction was found in regard to integrated, patient-centered approach to health care and also emotional and psychological support that was provided, as well as the organizational aspect of medical treatment, with an emphasis on excessively long waiting times and poor work organization. Research participants expressed feelings of exclusion from their own treatment, inability to co-decide, lack of individual approach to treatment, lack of adequate and accurate information, lack of continuous treatment by the attending physician and lack of adequate emotional and psychological support. The research calls for a re-evaluation of healthcare approaches and a paradigm shift towards holistic, patient-centered care. By encouraging individualized treatment and a more comprehensive collaboration with patients, the path through infertility treatment can be illuminated with compassion and understanding.
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