Comparing patients' and clinicians' perceptions of elective single embryo transfer using the attitudes to a twin IVF pregnancy scale (ATIPS)

This study evaluated a questionnaire originally developed for use with health professionals to explore and compare patients' and clinicians' perceptions of elective single embryo transfer and twin births. IVF clinicians and patients attending an independent Fertility clinic were surveyed using the Attitudes to a twin birth scale (ATIPS) comprising two subscales: attitudes to twins (A-Twin) and attitudes to elective single embryo transfer (A-SET). After refinement total sample scores showed both subscales were reliable with Cronbach's alpha > 0.8 and item-total correlations > 0.35. Questionnaires were completed by 100 female IVF patients and 17 IVF clinicians. A-Twin subscale scores indicated neither the IVF clinicians nor female IVF patients demonstrated very positive attitudes to a twin birth although the IVF female patients were more in favour (t = 5.29, n = 117, p = < 0.001). Responses suggest both groups would benefit from increased information about the risks of a twin birth for the baby. First cycle IVF female patients were significantly more positive about eSET (z = 3.94, n = 100, p = < 0.001). Clinicians perceive both their colleagues' and female patients' negativity towards eSET; suggesting a role for education. This study found the ATIPS to be a reliable measure which could be useful in evaluating interventions to promote single embryo transfer.