Couples and clinics: online learning and information provision to make decisions about fertility treatment in the context of neoliberalism and patriarchy in the U.K.

Infertility, a complex medical and social issue, affects one in six couples worldwide. This study explores the experiences of heterosexual couples with infertility by analysing data from semi-structured interviews and delves into the dynamics of learning about infertility and making decisions about treatment within the United Kingdom. This study adopts a dual theoretical lens, situating data within the context of neoliberal and patriarchal policies and perspectives to explore the intricacies of choice and the burdens on couples to learn about infertility. Using Reflective Thematic Analysis, the findings reveal that the lack of adequate information provided through schools, media, GPs, and fertility clinics leads couples with infertility to Google. Seeking health information online can be empowering but there is a lack of consensus within the field of infertility, for both what practitioners recommend and what is available on the internet. Therefore, searching for information online can be confusing and overwhelming, which renders the process burdensome for couples. Despite the shared nature of infertility diagnoses within a couple, there is an unequal distribution of labour for seeking health information online; women bear the burden of learning about and making decisions regarding infertility. Drawing upon the findings, this study argues neoliberal policies and perspectives, specifically the focus on privatisation of care, individual choice and responsibility, and profit over care, have placed the burden of learning on couples. Additionally, within those couples, patriarchal influences have disproportionately placed the burden on women. Thus, to reduce imbalances in learning about infertility, this study calls for more regulation of the fertility industry and a move towards patient-centred care in the infertility industry. Online resources could be greatly improved to better support couples; however, health practitioners should actively engage with both partners within a couple to balance the burdens of ...