Semen Processing for Treatment and Fertility Preservation —
Training activity: 2

Details

Take a patient through the sperm banking information pathway from referral to provision of sample including:

• Review of patient history and information
• Providing relevant information to the patient
• Obtaining informed consent for storage and potential future use

Type

Entrustable training activity (ETA)

Evidence requirements

Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion. ​

Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.

Considerations

• Introductions and confirming patient identity
• Patient centred care and support, including the involvement of relatives and/or partners
• Impact of different diagnoses and treatment regimens on future fertility
• HFEA consent process
• HFEA Code of Practice
• Informed consent, including competence to provide consent in paediatric cases
• Communication of complex information to non-experts
• Two-way communication to ensure patient awareness of procedures
• Appropriate application of options where patients fail to produce samples, including other methods to achieve family building
• Resources to support decision making where patients are undergoing other treatments
• Access to counselling services and support groups
• Acting in the best interest of the patient, including consideration of the psychological impact
• Appropriate storage durations

Reflective practice guidance

The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.

Before action

• How will you ensure the patient fully understands the licensed procedures for sperm banking and cryopreservation, enabling them to provide informed consent for storage and potential future use?
  • What aspects of your communication will demonstrate that you are applying and adapting skills to communicate effectively with the patient, and that you are practicing in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards?
• What do you already know about patient communication techniques, obtaining informed consent, or the HFEA regulatory requirements for gamete storage?
  • What possible challenges might you face when reviewing sensitive patient history, providing comprehensive information, or addressing ethical considerations related to consent, and how might you handle them?
  • When would it be beyond your scope of practice to answer a patient’s question, or when would you need to seek advice or help from a senior colleague or medical professional?
  • How do you feel about embarking on this training activity, particularly given the sensitive nature of discussing fertility preservation and consent?
• What specific communication skills do you want to develop, such as explaining complex regulatory information clearly or empathising with patient concerns?
  • What specific insights do you hope to gain regarding the patient’s perspective on sperm banking and the nuances of informed consent processes?
• Have you consulted actions identified following previous experiences of patient communication or consent discussions?
  • What important information, such as HFEA guidelines on consent or specific patient information leaflets, do you need to review before engaging with the patient?

In action

• During the activity, is anything unexpected occurring? For instance, does the patient express unexpected concerns, ask a question you are not immediately prepared for, or show signs of distress or confusion?
• How do you react to the unexpected development? Do you adapt your communication style or approach to address their immediate needs? How does it affect your ability to guide them through the pathway and ensure their understanding and informed consent?
• What is the immediate conclusion or outcome? What do you learn in that moment about patient communication, providing information, or obtaining consent in a dynamic interaction?

On action

• Summarise the key points of the patient interaction, from referral to sample provision, including reviewing patient history, providing information, and obtaining consent.
  • Describe specific events, actions, or interactions that felt important, such as challenging questions or emotional responses, and your own feelings during these moments.
  • Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you adapted your communication style or approach as the conversation unfolded.
• Identify the learning you can take from this experience regarding patient communication, informed consent, and guiding patients through a sensitive pathway.
  • What strengths did you demonstrate in explaining licensed procedures and facilitating understanding for informed consent?
  • Were there any skill or knowledge gaps evident, particularly in adapting your communication style to individual patient needs?
  • Compare this experience against previous communication engagements; has your ability to communicate effectively with patients improved?
  • Identify any challenges you experienced (e.g., patient distress, unexpected questions) and how you reacted to them.
  • Did you need to seek advice or clarification during or after the interaction?
• What will you do differently next time you take a patient through this pathway?
  • Has anything changed in terms of how you would provide relevant information or obtain informed consent?
  • Do you need to practise any aspect of this activity further, such as handling specific patient concerns or complex consent scenarios?

 

Beyond action

• How has your approach to communicating complex information and obtaining informed consent for sperm banking evolved as you gain more experience with diverse patient scenarios?
• What communication techniques and patient support strategies have proven most effective in facilitating understanding and addressing patient concerns throughout the sperm banking pathway, drawing from your cumulative interactions?
• How does your ongoing learning in patient communication enhance your overall practice in providing empathetic and comprehensive care, considering how previous reflections have shaped your current approach?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 3	Outcome Explain licensed procedures to patients and donors, facilitating understanding to enable informed consent to be provided.
# 4	Outcome Perform cryopreservation, thawing and warming of gametes within the regulatory HFEA framework.
# 5	Outcome Appraise the impact of cryopreservation on viability of gametes and embryos.
# 6	Outcome Apply and adapt skills to communicate effectively with patients and the multidisciplinary team.
# 7	Outcome Practice in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards.