The integrated work between medicine and psychology with infertile couples at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil.

This study examines the coping process of infertile couple during diagnostic investigation and treatment, which is held in a public hospital in the Assisted Reproduction Treatment department. This analysis discusses the results of a qualitative research whose goal is to emphasize the importance of integrating the medical and psychological care to infertile couples. To collect the data, it uses a semistructured psychological interview. This feature promotes a differentiated listening emotional aspects experienced by patients, allowing couples to greater reflection about their difficulties before the process of investigation and treatment of infertility. From the data, it appears that in addition to medical treatment, patients require in a psychological intervention centered emotional effects experienced by them throughout the process. Given the complexity of the process of Assisted Reproduction, it is essential to consider both the medical factors, essential for achieving the concept of biological child, as psychological factors, at the individual, marital and social. We conclude that the psychological dimension integrated medical help these patients to maximize their resources and seek more adaptive ways to minimize the possible dilemmas and anxiety experienced.