Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine

Qualification:

• Hold an MBBS Degree from a University established by law in India, recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and/or declared as equivalent.

OR

• A resident Indian participant with foreign medical qualification must appear, pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE), complete an internship, and register with a State Medical Council (SMC) per applicable regulations.

AND

• Hold a DGO + Secondary DNB / Primary DNB / M.D. / M.S. (or its equivalent recognized degree) in Obstetrics & Gynaecology [Ob-Gyn; O&G; OG; Obs; Gynae & OB/GYN] from a university established by law in India, recognized by the NMC, or any other with a foreign medical qualification recognized by the NMC and/or declared as equivalent.

Content:

• Applied, Basic & Clinical Sciences:

1. Infertile couple with female factor

a) Anovulation

b) Tubal factor: tubal obstruction, peri-tubal adhesions and hydrosalpinx.

c) Uterine cavity abnormality both congenital and acquired (fibroid, adenomyoma, polyps, synechia, septum and other uterine malformations).

d) Endometriosis.

e) Endocrine abnormality (hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenism, thyroid dysfunction, congenital adrenal hyperplasia etc)

f) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other hyperandrogenic states

g) Basic Anatomy and physiology of female reproductive system

2. Infertile couple with male factor

a) Erectile & Ejaculatory dysfunction.

b) Obstructive azoospermia.

c) Non-obstructive Azoospermia.

d) Other sperm Abnormality (OATs).

e) Endocrine abnormalities (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism).

f) Basic Anatomy and physiology of male reproductive system

3. Couple with decreased gamete reserves to be offered donor gamete or donor embryo program.

4. Medico legal and ethical aspect

a) Third Party Reproduction

b) Oocyte donation

c) Embryo donation

d) Sperm donation

e) Surrogacy

5. Endometrial Receptivity Assay [ERA]

6. Applied Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Pathology of the male and female reproductive system.

7. Physiology of Menstrual cycle / ovulation.

8. Normal puberty and pubertal disorders.

9. Safety issue in ART including OHSS and multiple pregnancies.

10. Ethical principles in Assisted Reproductive Technology [ART].

11. ART Evolution and exposure to different technologies.

12. Andrology: Spermatogenesis, semen analysis and sperm function tests. Processing samples of testicular / Epididymal sperms.

13. Embryology: Culture media, egg identification, gametogenesis and fertilization.

14. Embryology lab quality control and maintenance.

15. Fertility preservation – Social & Onco-fertility.

16. Processing sperm for various procedures –for intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF, and ICSI.

17. Basics of reproductive genetics, genetic history and counselling.

18. Nomenclature / Basic principle / Pre-implantation genetic screening and diagnosis.

19. Reproductive Endocrinology [RE]

20. Reproductive Immunology and its disorders.

21. Cryopreservation

22. Semen freezing / oocyte freezing/ embryo freezing.

23. Slow freeze techniques / vitrification.

24. Ovum pick up (OPU) and embryo transfer.

25. Storage and use of gametes.

26. Research Methodology.

Eligibility:

• Successful completion of an online examination, and personal interview with assigned fertility specialist.

• The training program will be subject to the availability of seats in one of the two batches, i.e., March and September each year.

Key Benefits:

• Receive in-depth allied, basic, and clinical sciences sessions once a week, featuring face-to-face, virtual (online), and interactive classrooms.

• The theoretical knowledge shall be imparted to the participants through lectures, and discussions. The participants are exposed to recent advances through discussions in journal clubs.

• The participant shall be attached to a faculty member to gain hands-on/live experience through clinical rotations, to learn taking patient histories, conduct examinations, and develop management plans.

• The participant would work up cases, learn management of cases by discussion with the assigned faculty at the deployed centre.

• The participant would summarize and discuss the scientific article critically. A faculty member will suggest the article and moderate the discussion, with participation by other faculty members and resident fertility specialists. The contributions made by the article in furtherance of the scientific knowledge and limitations, if any, will be highlighted.

• The participants would carry out the research projects and write an original research paper/article, and would also be given exposure to the research projects going on in the organization to learn planning, methodology and execution so as to learn various aspects of research.

• Actively participate in file rounds, progress notes, bedside sessions, round discussions, interesting and difficult case discussions to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios.

• Mastering Egg Pickup (OPU):

1) Preparing participants to perform live OPUs.

2) Execute procedures more efficiently by improving ultrasound (US) probe focus on the ovaries, during Mastering Egg Pickup (OPU) training. Perform oocyte retrievals on OPU simulator, under supervision of a trained ART specialist.

3) Experience simulated practice through our hi-fidelity simulator for US-guided oocyte retrieval with 8-DOF (Eight Degrees of Freedom positional sensing) and 4-DOF haptics probe and needle, providing force feedback for the cervix, vaginal wall, ovary wall, and follicle piercing.

4) Effortlessly Impressive- Train on the world’s First European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology [ESHRE] - guidelines compliant AI and VR device, and recommendations for good practice in US-guided Oocyte retrieval.

• Logbook:

1) A student shall maintain a logbook of operations (assisted/performed) during the training tenure, certified by the ART specialist (faculty).

2) This logbook shall be made available to the board of examiners for their perusal at the time of examination.

3) The logbook should show evidence that the before mentioned subjects were covered (with dates and the name of the faculty). The candidate will maintain the record of all academic activities undertaken by the participant in the logbook.

a) Personal profile of the participant

b) Educational qualification/Professional data

c) Record of case histories

d) Procedures learnt

e) Record of case demonstrations/presentations

f) Every participant, at the time of practical examination, will be required to produce performance record (logbook) containing details of the work done during the entire period of training as per requirements. It should be duly certified by the ART specialist (faculty) as work done by the participant and counter signed by the Dean and Scientific Director.

g) In the absence of production of logbook, the result will not be declared.

Pedagogy:

Our goal is to empower obstetrician-gynecologists with the knowledge and skills necessary to address and overcome complications faced by infertile couples. At GarbhaGudi IVF Centre, we achieve this through a combination of faculty lectures, case history documentation, file rounds, progress notes, round discussions, bedside sessions, case presentations and discussions, interesting and difficult case discussions, journal club meetings, investigation & management plans, and advanced technology-driven tools. This comprehensive approach fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Effective learning is facilitated in a collaborative ecosystem, ensuring participants are well-prepared to alleviate infertility challenges and gain a comprehensive understanding and practical exposure in treating infertility.

Participant Benefits:

1. Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine in India is to both international and national participants.

2. The fellowship in reproductive medicine (FRM) and institutional fellowship in reproductive medicine (IFRM) programs are administered at both the doctoral and post-doctoral levels.

3. Build lasting collaborations and connections for professional and personal growth. Share your ideas, receive feedback, and access guidance to set up your IVF center.

4. Stay updated on career prospects, programs, events, fellowships, internships, and workshops.

5. Engage with fellow infertility specialists who share similar interests.

6. Healthy work-life balance.

Internal Evaluation: Participants will be continuously evaluated during the tenure of the program. The following will be the modes of evaluation:

• Both theory and practical examination papers every 6 months (6th month and 11th month for 1 year program, and 6th month, 12th month, 18th month and 23rd month for 2 years program)

• Case discussion/studies

• Continuing medical education (CME)

• Paper presentation

• Journal club participation

• Internal and external paper to be presented – Mini project

• Thesis progress

• Research: Author/Co-Author – One per year (1-year program); Author – One per year and Co-Author – One per year (2-year program)

Exit Exam: The training program exit (external) examination consists of two stages: Theory and Practical Examinations.

1. A minimum of 80% attendance shall be maintained by participants.

2. If any student does not appear for the exam, there will be no supplementary exam. The candidate has to appear as a fresher candidate for the exam whenever the exams will be conducted.

3. External Examination consisting of:

Day-1: Theory Examination

Day-2: Practical Examination

Added to all the above advantages, participants might be offered exclusive discounts on institutional programs for other suitable knowledge and skill enhancement or fellowships such as Comprehensive TVS (Transvaginal Ultrasound) Scan Program (2 + 9 days), Comprehensive Andrology Training Program (10 days), Fellowship in Clinical Embryology (12 months), Certified Fertility Specialist (3 or 6 months), Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Embryology (12 months), RGUHS Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (18 months) and Non-Resident Fellowship in Infertility (12 months) etc enabling lifelong connectivity with the institution and allowing professional growth.

* The fee can be paid in a one-time payment or in installments.

*^ The fee is exclusive of applicable taxes.

Please connect with us for additional information.