MCE5101 - Infertility and treatment strategies - 2018

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith
Dr Sally Catt

Unit guides

Offered

Monash Medical Centre

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • First semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit will provide information about the major causes of male and female infertility. Students will gain an appreciation for the patient journey towards accessing fertility treatment, including alternative strategies available prior to, or in conjunction with ART treatment. Low, medium and high levels of medical intervention will be compared in reference to general infertility patients, and patients with specific infertility causes. Using this knowledge, students will demonstrate their problem solving skills in determining treatment options for specific infertility cases. The influence of gamete quality on fertility outcomes will be discussed, with a focus on the sperm contribution to treatment success. Measures used to determine ART success will be analysed from the perspectives of all invested parties such as government, business and patient outcomes through an interactive session. Utilising an awareness of infertility causes and treatment options, students will critically review a contemporary scientific paper relating to infertility management.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify male and female causes of infertility
  2. Recognise alternate fertility strategies prior to, or in conjunction with ART treatment
  3. Compare and contrast the different levels of medical intervention associated with ART treatment
  4. Describe the treatment options for patients with specific infertility causes
  5. Recognise the support systems available to patients undergoing ART treatment
  6. Classify the reporting criteria for measuring ART outcomes
  7. Review contemporary scientific papers in infertility management
  8. Demonstrate skills in problem solving and determining treatment strategies for specific infertility cases.
  9. Identify the role that specific sperm parameters play on fertility outcomes

Assessment

  • Written exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
  • Oral journal review presentation and reflection (15 minutes and 500 words) (20%)
  • Interactive case study (2000 words) (20%)
  • Peerwise contribution (5%)
  • Andrology written assessment (2,000 words) (15%)

Workload requirements

24 hours contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study, practical skills training) (on-campus).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

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