This program provides intensive subspecialty training for the tertiary care/expert management of problems related to GREI. GREI is a two-year clinical and research subspecialty residency program. The goals and objectives of the program are structured to conform to the RCPSC requirements.
The educational program consists of clinical training in:
Clinical Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Upon completion of the fellowship, the trainee has competent consultation and management skills of individuals with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and reproductive endocrine disorders and patients undergoing infertility treatment with emphasis on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). There is hands-on training of gynecologic and first trimester obstetrical diagnostic ultrasound in conjunction with formal online course on gynecologic ultrasound. There are a hands-on teaching and training of basic ART laboratory theory and quality management. Reproductive surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive surgery and a large volume of tubal ligation reversal surgery is a component of the training program. Urologic clinics specific to male infertility occur throughout the two-year fellowship. By the second year of training, in preparation for independent practice, the trainee sees patients as the primary physician in a weekly longitudinal GREI clinic under the supervision of a faculty.
Pediatric Endocrinology and Medical Endocrinology
Four-week block selective rotations occur for both pediatric endocrinology and medical endocrinology, in conjunction with their respective divisions, with an emphasis on attending clinics with relevance to reproductive endocrinology.
Research
The trainee designs and implements a project with an investigative hypothesis, approved by the Residency Program Committee, ideally at the beginning of the first year of training. The trainee submits the manuscript to a peer reviewed journal and includes original data. Achievement of research competence is documented in a letter from the program director. A reasonable expectation of the trainee is to participate in one significant research project and two to three smaller research projects. Smaller projects may consist of case reports, case series or participating as a co-investigator in an ongoing project, while the significant project is an original research proposal by the trainee and/or with the assistance of a faculty.
Formal Academic Teaching
In addition to the clinical teaching, there are additional formalized academic teaching sessions within the training program. There are weekly lectures with topics modelled after the GREI objectives of training. Most lectures are presented by faculty, with the GREI resident expected to present quarterly. Journal club occurs quarterly, with participation of the majority of clinical GREI faculty within geographic Lower Mainland area. Monthly divisional research meetings occur, as well as case presentations every two weeks. In order to facilitate the trainee’s ability to properly conduct and design research, formal statistical and research methodology courses are a requirement through the UBC School of Population and Public Health. The two courses are Statistics for Health Research and the Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials.
The Curriculum for this two-year program consists of:
Year 1
- Clinical and surgical training including consultation and management of referrals to various GREI clinics
- Participate in various ovulation induction regimens
- Learn the basic physics and techniques of ultrasound
- Learn ART procedures and infertility surgeries
- Initiate research project(s)
Year 2
- Refine clinical, surgical, teaching and research skills
- Manage and consult patients in the Fellow’s Clinic
- Participate in Pediatric and Adult Medical Endocrinology clinics
- Complete research project(s)
- Publication of research project(s)