Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study
IntroductionThe well being of clinical embryologists remains a largely neglected aspect in the field of reproductive medicine, despite their critical role in the success of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures. Embryologists manage complex tasks that require high precision and involve si...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| author | Giancarlo Astro Monica Gatti Mauro Costa Arianna Cosmelli Alessandra Alteri Attilio Anastasi Attilio Anastasi Danilo Cimadomo Danilo Cimadomo Lucia De Santis Lucia De Santis Francesca Gioia Klinger Francesca Gioia Klinger Emanuele Licata Emanuele Licata Laura Sosa Fernandez Laura Sosa Fernandez Giovanna Tomasi Giovanna Tomasi Elena Vegni Irene Cuevas Sáiz Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Valerio Pisaturo Valerio Pisaturo |
| author_facet | Giancarlo Astro Monica Gatti Mauro Costa Arianna Cosmelli Alessandra Alteri Attilio Anastasi Attilio Anastasi Danilo Cimadomo Danilo Cimadomo Lucia De Santis Lucia De Santis Francesca Gioia Klinger Francesca Gioia Klinger Emanuele Licata Emanuele Licata Laura Sosa Fernandez Laura Sosa Fernandez Giovanna Tomasi Giovanna Tomasi Elena Vegni Irene Cuevas Sáiz Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Valerio Pisaturo Valerio Pisaturo |
| author_sort | Giancarlo Astro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe well being of clinical embryologists remains a largely neglected aspect in the field of reproductive medicine, despite their critical role in the success of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures. Embryologists manage complex tasks that require high precision and involve significant responsibilities, ranging from manual laboratory procedures to quality control and patient communication. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of clinical embryologists regarding their occupational well being and to examine their subjective experiences within MAR centers.MethodsQualitative interview study of 28 Italian and Spanish embryologists working at both public and private centers. Participants were recruited among the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, and Research (SIERR) and the Spanish Association for the Study of Reproductive Biology (ASEBIR) members. The interviews were video-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify the main themes and sub-themes.ResultsThe interviewees were concordant that excessive workload might affect their psychophysical well being, especially in view of a salary perceived as unsatisfactory with respect to the high responsibility and training involved by this job. In general, only public sector senior embryologists reported a manageable workload, proportionate to their salary. A key issue identified was the shortage of qualified embryologists, sometimes replaced with less specialized personnel. This might worsen a work environment often perceived challenging because of complex intra-team dynamics, management of interpersonal relationships, and unclear definition of the roles. A competitive and isolating atmosphere can slow down professional growth and limit positive networking. The participants emphasized the importance of patient counseling for their professional well being, advocating for a more intense interaction with the couples. Finally, an ergonomic laboratory environment, optimized equipment arrangement, access to natural light, and the inclusion of adjacent break rooms appear essential for reducing physical and mental fatigue and enhancing overall well being.DiscussionThis study highlights the need to address embryologists' workload, compensation, and professional well being to improve MAR performance and patient care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-20dd575ed4a34dfd9c1ecbe85f5561ac |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-20dd575ed4a34dfd9c1ecbe85f5561ac2025-08-20T03:51:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15507151550715Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative studyGiancarlo Astro0Monica Gatti1Mauro Costa2Arianna Cosmelli3Alessandra Alteri4Attilio Anastasi5Attilio Anastasi6Danilo Cimadomo7Danilo Cimadomo8Lucia De Santis9Lucia De Santis10Francesca Gioia Klinger11Francesca Gioia Klinger12Emanuele Licata13Emanuele Licata14Laura Sosa Fernandez15Laura Sosa Fernandez16Giovanna Tomasi17Giovanna Tomasi18Elena Vegni19Irene Cuevas Sáiz20Nicolas Prados21Nicolas Prados22Nicolas Prados23Valerio Pisaturo24Valerio Pisaturo25RN, MSN, Palliative Care, Gigi Ghirotti Foundation, Genoa, ItalyReproductive Medicine Department, International Evangelical Hospital, Genoa, ItalyReproductive Medicine Department, International Evangelical Hospital, Genoa, ItalyReproductive Medicine Department, International Evangelical Hospital, Genoa, ItalyObstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, ItalyCenter of Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, “Del Delta” Hospital, AUSL Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalyIVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Genera, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, ItalyObstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalySaint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Rome, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalyPhysiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, ItalyEmbryos Fertility Center, Battipaglia, ItalyThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, Italy0CRA, Assisted Reproductive Center, Catania, Italy1Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy2Unidad de Medicina Reproductiva, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain3VIDA Recoletas, Seville, Spain4Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain5The Spanish Society for the Study of Reproductive Biology (ASEBIR), Madrid, SpainThe Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, Research (SIERR), Giarre, Italy6Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, ItalyIntroductionThe well being of clinical embryologists remains a largely neglected aspect in the field of reproductive medicine, despite their critical role in the success of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures. Embryologists manage complex tasks that require high precision and involve significant responsibilities, ranging from manual laboratory procedures to quality control and patient communication. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of clinical embryologists regarding their occupational well being and to examine their subjective experiences within MAR centers.MethodsQualitative interview study of 28 Italian and Spanish embryologists working at both public and private centers. Participants were recruited among the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, and Research (SIERR) and the Spanish Association for the Study of Reproductive Biology (ASEBIR) members. The interviews were video-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify the main themes and sub-themes.ResultsThe interviewees were concordant that excessive workload might affect their psychophysical well being, especially in view of a salary perceived as unsatisfactory with respect to the high responsibility and training involved by this job. In general, only public sector senior embryologists reported a manageable workload, proportionate to their salary. A key issue identified was the shortage of qualified embryologists, sometimes replaced with less specialized personnel. This might worsen a work environment often perceived challenging because of complex intra-team dynamics, management of interpersonal relationships, and unclear definition of the roles. A competitive and isolating atmosphere can slow down professional growth and limit positive networking. The participants emphasized the importance of patient counseling for their professional well being, advocating for a more intense interaction with the couples. Finally, an ergonomic laboratory environment, optimized equipment arrangement, access to natural light, and the inclusion of adjacent break rooms appear essential for reducing physical and mental fatigue and enhancing overall well being.DiscussionThis study highlights the need to address embryologists' workload, compensation, and professional well being to improve MAR performance and patient care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1550715/fulloccupational well-beingworkplace stressorsembryologistmedically assisted reproduction (MAR)qualitative researchthematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Giancarlo Astro Monica Gatti Mauro Costa Arianna Cosmelli Alessandra Alteri Attilio Anastasi Attilio Anastasi Danilo Cimadomo Danilo Cimadomo Lucia De Santis Lucia De Santis Francesca Gioia Klinger Francesca Gioia Klinger Emanuele Licata Emanuele Licata Laura Sosa Fernandez Laura Sosa Fernandez Giovanna Tomasi Giovanna Tomasi Elena Vegni Irene Cuevas Sáiz Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Nicolas Prados Valerio Pisaturo Valerio Pisaturo Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study Frontiers in Public Health occupational well-being workplace stressors embryologist medically assisted reproduction (MAR) qualitative research thematic analysis |
| title | Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study |
| title_full | Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study |
| title_short | Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study |
| title_sort | perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in italy and spain a pilot qualitative study |
| topic | occupational well-being workplace stressors embryologist medically assisted reproduction (MAR) qualitative research thematic analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1550715/full |
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