Table 4 Evaluation of existing models- Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers in the world

USA, 2011

Köhler et al., [26]

209 pediatric oncologists

83% of pediatric oncologists acknowledged that fertility threats to female patients are a major concern for them

Only 12% reported that they refer at least 50% of female cancer patients to a fertility specialist prior to cancer treatment

< 50% were aware of the ASCO recommendations published in 2006

USA, 2010

Forman et al., [25]

249 oncologists

95% routinely discussed a treatment’s impact on fertility: 93% for gynecologic oncologists vs 60% for other oncologists

Although 82% have referred patients to reproductive endocrinologists, more than half rarely refer.

Canada, 2012

Yee et al. [35]

152 oncologists

45% did not know where to refer patients for female fertility preservation

Canada, 2013

Ronn and Holzer, [13]

All FP services available

63% of the responding non-IVF fertility centres do not provide any FP services, including consultations.

80% of the responding IVF fertility centres provided both consultations and FP services for women with cancer, with an additional 10% saying that they provide consultations only.

Iran, 2011

Ghorbani et al., [36]

30 specialists:

85% oncologists;

15% other specialists in cancer treatment

67% were attentive to the damaging effects of radiochemotherapy on fertility at the time of diagnosis

40% insisted that the FP topic should be brought up by patients themselves.

Only 46% of the oncologists knew about FP techniques

The greatest barrier to parental acceptance of FP for children was lack of information (41%)

France, 2013

Préaubert et al., [37]

225 French doctors from the PACA region

58% felt a lack information about indications and FP techniques

54% referred no patients to FP consultation over a period of 6 months

UK, 2008

Cannell [38]

84 Primary Care Trusts

46% did not provide patient information

33% did not commission facilities for embryo storage and 37% did not commission facilities for oocyte storage

UK, 2013

Adams, Hill and Watson, [39]

100 oncologists

87% expressed a need for information

Only 38% reported routinely providing patients with written information

23% had never consulted any FP guidelines

1/3 did not usually refer patients to a specialist fertility service.

India, 2016

Mahajan et al. [9]

157 gynecologists

81% agreed with the ASCO recommendations

42% routinely discussed cancer impact on fertility

37% routinely discussed a treatment’s impact on fertility