Perceived workplace stressors and professional experiences of clinical embryologists working in Italy and Spain: a pilot qualitative study

Giancarlo Astro¹Monica Gatti²Mauro Costa²Arianna Cosmelli²Alessandra Alteri^3*Attilio Anastasi⁴Danilo Cimadomo⁵Lucia De Santis⁶Francesca Gioia Klinger⁷Emanuele Licata⁸Laura Sosa Fernandez⁹Giovanna Tomasi¹⁰Elena Vegni¹¹IRENE CUEVAS SAIZ¹²Nicolas Prados¹³Valerio Pisaturo¹⁴

• ¹Gigi Ghirotti Foundation, Genoa, Italy
• ²Ospedale Evangelico Internazionale, Genoa, Italy
• ³San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
• ⁴Delta Hospital, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• ⁵GENERA reparto di PMA della Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Lazio, Italy
• ⁶San Raffaele Hospital (IRCCS), Milan, Lombardy, Italy
• ⁷Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Lazio, Italy
• ⁸Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Lazio, Italy
• ⁹Embryos Center, Battipaglia, Battipaglia, Italy
• ¹⁰CRA, Assisted Reproductive center, Catania, Italy
• ¹¹University of Milan, Milan, Lombardy, Italy
• ¹²Hospital General Universitario De Valencia, Valencia, Spain
• ¹³VIDA Recoletas, Seville, Spain
• ¹⁴Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Lazio, Italy

The 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. Methods: Qualitative 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. Results: The 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 counselling 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. Discussion: This study highlights the need to address embryologists' workload, compensation, and professional well-being to improve MAR performance and patient care.