The programme
Four modules, supervised clinical work, and a transparent assessment — taught on a timetable that working doctors can keep.
- Length
- 12 months
- Curriculum
- Four taught modules
- Clinical attachment
- 3 months at an established IVF centre
- Intakes
- January and July each year
Programme structure
Module topics follow the current syllabus, which is reviewed with each intake.
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Module I
Basic Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology
Reproductive physiology, assessing the infertile couple, ovulatory disorders, PCOS, male factor, and endocrine work-up.
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Module II
IVF and Assisted Conception
Ovarian stimulation protocols, monitoring, IUI, IVF/ICSI, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, and preventing and managing complications.
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Module III
Evidence-Based Practice and Guidelines in Reproductive Health
Critical appraisal, how to use clinical guidelines, and counselling and ethics.
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Module IV
Endoscopy and Reproductive Surgery
Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy and laparoscopy for infertility.
How you learn
- Interactive lectures, case discussions and seminars every two weeks
- Workshops on models and simulators
- A three-month clinical attachment at an established IVF centre
- Logbook documentation of supervised procedures
- DIRMAS Academy, our online academy, with recorded lectures, reading and self-assessment
- An intensive revision course, workshops and a mock exam before the final examination
Skills you will gain
- Counselling infertile couples, with attention to confidentiality and ethics
- Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, including follicle tracking
- Choosing and adjusting ovarian-stimulation protocols
- Ovum pick-up and embryo transfer (including dummy transfer), under supervision
- Interpreting hormonal, semen, imaging and endoscopic findings
Assessment
Assessment is both formative and summative, and leads to a final examination at the end of the 12 months.
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Logbook | 30% |
| End-of-module assessments | 40% |
| End-of-training examination | 30% |