Reseachers
PhD Student Lara Jacxsens
Prof. Dr. Veerle Provoost
Prof. Dr. Guido Pennings
Prof. Dr. Dominic Stoop
Master student Lien Lentacker
Background
Although egg donation is a common procedure, it involves a medical procedure that entails risks. As with any medical procedure, providing complete and accurate information during the informed consent process is a crucial element in the egg donation process. However, several studies raise the question of whether correct information is provided and whether the information provided is sufficient.
The aim of the study
The main objective of this Delphi study is to reach a consensus among diverse groups of experts on the essential information that potential egg donors should be informed about. These experts include individuals who have donated eggs at least once (“experienced egg donors”), academics from the humanities and medical fields, bioethicists, midwives/nurses, fertility doctors, and lawyers. The study will be conducted in three rounds, during which participants will be presented with an extensive list of information (items) based on comprehensive literature research. The outcome of the study aims to establish a consensus on what information is relevant and morally necessary to obtain valid informed consent from candidate egg donors.
The process of the study
The first phase of this Delphi study will consist of a set of information items regarding egg donation, divided into broader categories. These information items have been developed after extensive literature research, collecting all available information on what a candidate egg donor knows and should know. Each information item will be assessed for relevance by the experts using a 4-point scale (Likert scale). Additionally, the experts will be asked to provide a dichotomous assessment of the moral necessity of this information (categories and items). Experts will also have an open text space to share additional comments and insights. Based on the data analysis from this first round, a second round will be formulated. In this second round, participants will be asked to reconsider their earlier choices based on the findings from the first round.
The aim is to hold a total of three rounds to achieve consensus among experts regarding what information is relevant for candidate egg donors and what information is morally necessary for them to provide valid informed consent.
For experienced egg donors interested in participating, you can find more information here.