{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.04256252742430891, 'fraction_numerical': 0.029398859148749453, 'mean_word_length': 5.193840579710145, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 3, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 1, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG WOMEN UNDERGOING INFERTILITY CARE, A FRENCH COHORT – PSYCOVART

OBJECTIVE: To assess psychological state of women who experienced postponement of ART care during the first COVID-19 wave in a French public ward of reproductive medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online anonymous survey was emailed between July and August 2020 to all women whose infertility care have been delayed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Feelings about COVID- 19 outbreak, lockdown and suspension of fertility care were assessed by Multiple- Choice Questions and Visual Analog Scales. RESULTS: 435 women answered to the survey (response rate 34,6%). Mean levels of the HADS-A (anxiety), HADS-D (depression) and PSS10 were respectively 7,58(±3,85), 4,51(±3,48), and 27(±6,75). Prevalence of stress was 50,8% and almost half of women presented clear or suggestive anxiety symptoms (respectively 21,6% and 25,7%). Stress and anxiety rates were much higher than those expected in infertile population. Increased stress was observed in women above 35 years and those stopped 'in cycle' or during pre-treatment for in-vitro fertilization or frozen embryo transfer. Patient with history of depression or anxiety had a higher prevalence of perceived stress (p= 0,0006). Postponement was perceived as 'unbearable' for women experiencing stress (p=0,0032). After the first wave of pandemic, pregnancy desire remained the same and 84,3% of women wanted to resume fertility care as soon as possible. CONCLUSIONS: Stopping fertility care during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact on women with an increase of stress, and anxiety. Psychological counseling should always be offered especially during this difficult period. IMPACT STATEMENT: This is the first psychological study using systematic scale.

OBJECTIVE: To assess psychological state of women who experienced postponement of ART care during the first COVID-19 wave in a French public ward of reproductive medicine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online anonymous survey was emailed between July and August 2020 to all women whose infertility care have been delayed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Feelings about COVID-19 outbreak, lockdown and suspension of fertility care were assessed by Multiple-Choice Questions and Visual Analog Scales.
RESULTS: 435 women answered to the survey (response rate 34,6%). Mean levels of the HADS-A (anxiety), HADS-D (depression) and PSS10 were respectively 7,58(AE3,85), 4,51(AE3,48), and 27(AE6,75). Prevalence of stress was 50,8% and almost half of women presented clear or suggestive anxiety symptoms (respectively 21,6% and 25,7%). Stress and anxiety rates were much higher than those expected in infertile population. Increased stress was observed in women above 35 years and those stopped 'in cycle' or during pre-treatment for in-vitro fertilization or frozen embryo transfer. Patient with history of depression or anxiety had a higher prevalence of perceived stress (p¼ 0,0006). Postponement was perceived as 'unbearable' for women experiencing stress (p¼0,0032). After the first wave of pandemic, pregnancy desire remained the same and 84,3% of women wanted to resume fertility care as soon as possible.
CONCLUSIONS: Stopping fertility care during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact on women with an increase of stress, and anxiety. Psychological counseling should always be offered especially during this difficult period.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This is the first psychological study using systematic scale. OBJECTIVE: Diversity and equity in the physician workforce remain pivotal to providing culturally effective, optimal care. However, minority groups still remain underrepresented among medical student matriculants. In fact, in 2021, Black and Hispanic medical students comprised 7.5% and 6.5% of the entire student body, respectively while White students made up 48.5%. Data analysis of sex and racial diversity within Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellowships across the U.S. is lacking. We sought to characterize demographic patterns among REI fellows who represent the emerging REI workforce, comparing these results to those of general Ob/Gyn (Gen OG) residents and other Ob/Gyn (OG) fellowships.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted data analysis from the U.S. Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)approved Gen OG residency and OG fellowship training-programs (REI, MFM, Gyn-Onc and FPMRS) for the 3 years from 2017-2020, comparing changes in self-identified gender (SIG) and racial composition over time.
Chi-square analyses were used to compare annual gender trends and ethnicity make-up for the overall Gen OG. For the fellowship comparisons, contingency coefficients were used to compare annual rates of gender and ethnicity parameters among the groups.
RESULTS: Over the study period, the number of female trainees in Gen OG programs increased (p< .002) without a change in male number (p¼0.31). In post-OG fellowships, male numbers decreased within MFM and FPMRS (p< .001, respectively) while female number increased within MFM (p< .001). In REI programs, the overall number of active fellows increased 4% from 160 (2017-18) to 167 (2019-20) with the female to male ratio ranging from 3.5:1 to 4.6:1; however, a significant change in SIG-related trainee number did not occur over time.
CONCLUSIONS: While gains have been made in racial diversity within Gen OG residency, a persistent disparity among post-Gen OG fellowship trainees exists. The demographics of REI training programs reflect both male and racial minority underrepresentation. Further research is needed to elucidate reasons underlying these disparities including efforts to increase diversity within fellowship training programs.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Efforts to increase ethnic/racial diversity in REI fellowships are needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained self-identified-gender (SIG) data for REI PD and FT as well as General Ob/Gyn residency trainees (OB RT) enrolled in U.S. Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved programs. Publicly-available ACGME SIG data was tabulated and analyzed for REI PD and FT as well as for OB RT for the years 2017-2020. Additional SIG data for REI PD was derived from the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) archives for the years 2014-2016. Chi-square and linear regression were used to compare annual gender trends for REI PD, REI FT and OB RT over the time periods available.