MEFS Exchange course & Symposium- ASRM2010
Simple IVF: How to make the process less stressful, more affordable
and less complicated for patients?
Course PG12
(Sunday, October 24th, 2010)
Developed in Cooperation with the Middle East Fertility Society
Faculty
Suheil J. Muasher, M.D.,
Chair
Mohamed Aboulghar, M.D.
James P. Toner, M.D., Ph.D.
Angelique J. Goverde, M.D.
ACGME Competency
Patient Care Medical Knowledge
Needs assessment and course description
In
vitro fertilization is an underutilized service in the United States
due to high cost, lack of insurance coverage for many patients and
the physical and psychological burdens of the treatment. Mild
stimulation protocols offer many advantages to patients, including
affordability, convenience and fewer complications. There is a need
to educate IVF practitioners on the use of these protocols and the
similar success rates achieved compared with conventional
stimulation. This course for reproductive medicine specialists,
nurses and fellows will use both lectures and interactive
discussions in presenting ways to simplify IVF treatment. Faculty
will discuss various stimulation protocols, as well as the natural
cycle and its variants. Other topics to be covered include in-depth
cost analysis of IVF in the United States and possible cost-cutting
measures; minimizing the incidence of multiple pregnancy and ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome; and simplifying luteal phase support for
IVF.
Learning Objectives
At the
conclusion of this course, participants should be able to: 1.
Summarize the reasons that IVF service needs to be more
patient-friendly and affordable. 2. Compare the different mild
stimulation protocols and their multiple advantages, including
similar success rates to conventional stimulation. 3. Clarify for
patients ways in which to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy
and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. 4. Describe luteal phase
support and list strategies to simplify the treatment.