Kathryn Sheridan Clay, Tori Ford, Rosa Mackay, Sabrina Keating, Sue Ziebland, John Powell
{"title":"Implications of digital fertility tracking for clinical care: a qualitative systematic review.","authors":"Kathryn Sheridan Clay, Tori Ford, Rosa Mackay, Sabrina Keating, Sue Ziebland, John Powell","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-02083-1","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on the use of digital health interventions for the management of infertility is still emerging and remains understudied. This review syntheses cross-domain qualitative research on the use of digital fertility trackers. We identified 29 papers and thematic analysis found that these tools are most frequently used alongside, but also sometimes in place of clinical care. The research shows that they pose significant disruption to patient-provider relationships and the broader fertility industry and may place patients at risk when developed without a strong research or medical base, or if used incorrectly. More work is needed on the impact of these tools on care pathways, and to provide guidance on differentiating evidence-based platforms from low quality trackers to safeguard patients and improve fertility treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"183"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Reproductive Health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-025-02083-1","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Research on the use of digital health interventions for the management of infertility is still emerging and remains understudied. This review syntheses cross-domain qualitative research on the use of digital fertility trackers. We identified 29 papers and thematic analysis found that these tools are most frequently used alongside, but also sometimes in place of clinical care. The research shows that they pose significant disruption to patient-provider relationships and the broader fertility industry and may place patients at risk when developed without a strong research or medical base, or if used incorrectly. More work is needed on the impact of these tools on care pathways, and to provide guidance on differentiating evidence-based platforms from low quality trackers to safeguard patients and improve fertility treatment outcomes.
期刊介绍:
Reproductive Health focuses on all aspects of human reproduction. The journal includes sections dedicated to adolescent health, female fertility and midwifery and all content is open access.
Reproductive health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, at all stages of life. Good reproductive health implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. Men and women should be informed about and have access to safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, and the right to appropriate health-care services that enable women to safely go through pregnancy and childbirth.