A qualitative study of New Zealand fertility counsellors' roles and practices regarding embryo donation.

BACKGROUND Embryo donation is a recently approved practice in New Zealand. Guidelines require disclosure of donor identity, openness, joint donor and recipient counselling and ethics approval on a case-by-case basis. This study explores the roles and practices of fertility counsellors in the context of New Zealand's policies. METHODS Nine fertility counsellors were interviewed regarding their roles in the practice of embryo donation. Data were thematically analysed to identify counsellors' key roles and concerns. RESULTS Counsellors supported the principles underlying the policy in New Zealand. They saw their role as, firstly, helping patients shift from a focus on their current situations to considering the longer term psychosocial implications of embryo donation. Secondly, counsellors facilitated donors' and recipients' exploration of the implications not only for themselves but also for existing and potential children resulting from the donation and the effects on the wider family network. CONCLUSIONS As determined by policy, counsellors play an integral role in facilitating embryo donation and regard their role as contributing to the long-term wellbeing of families created through and affected by embryo donation.