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White PapersWhite PapersFastTraCS’ white paper probes the most significant unmet needs in REI, from daily injection burdens and clinic workflows to data systems and patient access, underscoring innovation’s role in fertility care’s next chapter.
The white paper, authored by FastTraCS and experts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explores critical gaps in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). As IVF volume steadily increases, with over 432,000 cycles performed in the U.S. in 2023, the demand for efficient, patient-centered care has reached a public health priority. Despite technological advancements since 1978, fertility treatment remains plagued by high dropout rates (10-50%) driven largely by the physical and psychological burdens of care.
Unmet needs in REI to identify the most pressing challenges, FastTraCS conducted a Design Thinking session with clinicians, nurses, and administrative staff at UNC Fertility. This human-centered approach utilized rapid ideation and rank voting to categorize unmet needs. The results highlighted three primary "pain points" that each received 15% of the total votes: medication management, clinical space, and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems.
The first major finding centers on the burden of daily injections. Patients often require up to three distinct injections daily, involving complex reconstitution and precise timing. While clinicians sometimes underestimate this stress, patients frequently struggle with needle-related anxiety (trypanophobia) and fear of dosing errors. The sources suggest that innovation in long-acting injectables, wearables, or simplified auto-injectors could significantly improve adherence.
Secondly, the paper identifies inadequate physical space as a barrier to workflow and privacy. Limited room availability disrupts the interdisciplinary collaboration essential for modern fertility care. Optimizing these spaces is viewed as a "generalizable challenge" that requires significant capital and engineering but is vital for enhancing the patient experience.
Thirdly, EMR limitations remain a pervasive issue. At UNC Fertility, the lack of integration with the broader Epic system creates silos in communication and documentation. The paper notes a critical need for specialized, user-friendly software that supports the unique, data-intensive workflows of IVF.
Beyond these top priorities, the white paper identifies secondary needs, such as improved ultrasound quality for patients with higher BMIs, better statistical tracking for treatment outcomes, and expanded access through remote ultrasound evaluations.
The Unmet needs in REI document conclude by framing these needs within a shifting policy landscape. Recent legislative actions, such as California’s SB 729 (mandating IVF coverage) and a 2025 Executive Order aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs, are expected to further drive demand. This evolution necessitates a commitment to innovation in clinical delivery and technology to ensure equitable and effective access to fertility care.
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