The Need for A Training Software among Iranian Infertile Couples: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Training needs are multidimensional requirements affected by social and cultural background, level of knowledge and personal and health conditions. This study was conducted to explain the needs for a training software among Iranian infertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this qualitative study, we used content analysis to examine the need among ten infertile participants (four men and six women) and six health care professionals (including two gynecologists, two reproduc- tive health specialists and two midwives). The present research was carried out from January 2017 to July 2018 at Rouyesh and Ibn Sina infertility treatment centers in Karaj, Iran. The participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Four focus group discussions with the health care professionals and twelve semi- structured, in-depth interviews with the infertile participants were held for data collection. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis in MAXQDA-10. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the extraction of a central theme of “a multidimensional training application” and its four main categories, including "pre-treatment training", "diagnostic training", "mid- and post-treatment training" and “continuous psychological training". These main categories also had 20 subcategories. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, infertile women and men have multidimensional training needs before and after treatment and during the process of diagnosis; psychological aspects should also be considered.The inter- viewed health care professionals helped to explain these training needs. A training software thus needs to be designed based on the real needs of the infertile community.