Course Description
The emergence of several new assisted reproduction techniques in recent years and new advances in biomedical knowledge of events in reproduction processes make it evident that there is a need to create permanent continuing education programmes for professionals in the field of human Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART).
Participants in this course will be introduced to the IVF technology and protocols used daily in fertility clinics through practical teaching and observations in our state-of-the-art facilities located at the Women Hospital international and fertility Centre in Kampala. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn and use new technologies like pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
Course objectives
This is an intensive course designed to enable participants acquire perquisite knowledge and skills in techniques associated with ART. The course covers the principal procedures from oocyte collection, IVF and ICSI through to embryo selection, culture and transfer.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the biology of folliculogenesis, sperm-egg interactions and fertilization;
- Demonstrate the requisite knowledge on the biological and technical aspects of oocyte preparation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/ intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo culture and grading;
- Perform ovum pick-up and embryo transfer under strict supervision; and
- Demonstrate step by step procedures in performing the different techniques of ART
Target audience
This intensive course is available exclusively to graduates in medicine and biomedical sciences (Biologists, Veterinarians, Pharmacists, Biochemists, Anatomy, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Embryologists and similar groups) wanting to develop skills in clinical embryology and have interest in understanding the mechanisms of fertility, causes of infertility and techniques used to combat it by means of assisted reproduction.
Course Duration
An intensive 3-weeks days laboratory and lecture-based course.
Teaching Format
The theoretical component of the course involving interactive discussion, didactic lectures and interactive video presentations will be delivered online, with continual assessment by way of essays, take-home exams, journal reviews and online discussions.
Hands-on laboratory training sessions under the direct guidance of clinical embryologists will be taught in a series of short residential blocks based at the Women Hospital International and fertility Centre, Kampala. A mentor will be assigned to each student to log the student’s practical abilities (egg pick-ups, inseminations, ICSI etc, and record of success rates). During these blocks, oral and written exams will be conducted to assess theoretical and practical skills. Training will be done using animal models (frozen hamster oocyte and mouse embryos).
Trainee Evaluations
Each Trainee is tested at the end of their training for:
- Knowledge/Theoretical Component (30%): Multiple choice questions on lab techniques linked to each course module
- Practical Skills (50%): Tested on specific lab techniques taught during the training
- Verbal Communication & Comprehension Skills/Integrative Component (20%)
Candidates who meet the training requirements and successfully complete the course work will be awarded the Graduate Training Certificate