Methods
This pilot pre-post medical education interventional study focused on
provider knowledge of infertility risk and fertility preservation
options related to treatment for cancer and hematologic conditions.
Participants included pediatric hematology-oncology faculty, fellows and
advance practice providers (APPs) at Lurie Children’s Hospital of
Chicago.
The study intervention consisted of a one-hour educational session
during time that is typically reserved for the weekly divisional case
conference. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the educational
session was led and delivered virtually via Zoom. Participants were
allowed to ask questions during and after the session. The educational
materials covered information on: (1) different gonadotoxic therapies,
including specific dosing thresholds that place patients at a
significant risk of infertility from alkylating chemotherapy, heavy
metals, radiation therapy, surgery and HSCT conditioning regimens; (2)
different methods for fertility preservation making a clear distinction
between methods available for pre-pubertal and post-pubertal patients;
(3) general procedures and biology behind TTC and OTC including future
directions geared toward in vitro maturation of sperm and oocytes; and
finally (4) the role of the primary team in facilitating a fertility
preservation discussion at diagnosis as well as the appropriate timing
and process for consulting the fertility preservation team. Key
educational points from the session are summarized in Table 1. These
points are based on the 2020 Meacham et al risk assessment study
and the 2019 ASRM fertility preservation guidelines[5, 9].
We conducted pre- and post-tests (Supplemental File 1) in order to
assess participants’ knowledge on infertility risk and fertility
preservation options before and after our study intervention,
respectively. Both tests included the same 10 multiple choice questions.
Participants received the pre and post-tests via email two weeks prior
and immediately after the planned educational session, respectively. The
study was approved by the Institutional review board (IRB).