ACTIVITY TITLE: Mental Health Professional Training Modules: Basic Infertility

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.   Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Mental Health Professionals Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  This Activity will offer 4.5 continuing education credits.  The Mental Health Professionals Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Release Date:  April 15, 2016

Reviewed and Updated: May 20, 2019

Expiration Date: May 20, 2022

 Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 4.5 hours

NEEDS ASSESSMENT and IDENTIFICATION OF PRACTICE GAP

Involuntary childlessness due to infertility can profoundly impact people’s lives, causing medical social, economic, and psychological harm.  Approximately 6.7 million women in the United States experience difficulty having children because of their own infertility or that of their partner. When a couple or an individual’s ability to have a child is unexpectedly compromised, assistance from a mental health professional can help patients to better manage their diagnosis and develop important coping strategies.  

Mental health professionals must understand the science of reproductive medicine in order to inform and translate the information accurately to patients.  Even the most experienced mental health professionals find it challenging to stay abreast of the scientific innovations in reproductive health and medicine.   This course will provide mental health professionals with a foundational understanding of the biology of reproduction, the causes and treatments for infertility, embryogenesis, and the early management of pregnancy.  With a basic theoretical and practical knowledge specific to the clinical area of infertility, mental health professionals will be able to function in their roles safely and capably, ultimately contributing to improved quality of care and patient outcomes.

DISCLAIMER

Completion of the MHPG Certificate Course or any of its components does not provide credentials to practice as a mental health professional in the assisted reproductive technology setting.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

1.      Describe the anatomy of the female and male reproductive tract and physiology of conception.

2.      Identify the hormonal and functional changes in the menstrual cycle.

3.      List the steps in the clinical evaluation of infertility.

4.      Describe the treatment for the most common causes of male and female infertility.

5.      Identify the various medications used in infertility treatment, their mode of action, and potential complications.

6.      Describe the steps in basic embryologic development and the physiologic changes of early pregnancy.

7.      Discuss the psychosocial impact of infertility, including spiritual and religious concerns, and the role of mental

          mental health professionals working within the field of reproductive medicine and health.

 COURSE OUTLINE

Lesson 1.               Basic Female Reproductive Anatomy

Lesson 2.               Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

Lesson 3.               Basic Male Reproduction and Infertility

Lesson 4.               Introduction to the Infertility Evaluation

Lesson 5.               Causes and Treatment of Female Infertility

Lesson 6.               Understanding Medications Used in Infertility Treatment

Lesson 7.               Basic Embryology and Early Pregnancy

Lesson 8.               Psychosocial Aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of mental health professionals involved in infertility care.

 ACGME COMPETENCY

Medical Knowledge

Patient Care 

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of this activity requires the learner to:

·        View a course overview page, containing all CME and disclosure information, including acknowledgement of any commercial support and disclosure of unlabeled use, prior to the start of each module.

·        Complete a 10-question pre-exam prior to each module. Learners should note any pre-exam questions answered incorrectly for clarification during module study.  

·        Be given the option of downloading a printed syllabus containing the presentation and narrative.

·        Participate in the interactive activity: Audio narration is synchronized with PowerPoint presentation that can be advanced, stopped or reversed as desired.

·        Complete a post-exam after each module, scoring a minimum of 70% in 3 attemps.

·        Complete the evaluation survey.

·        Print certificate of completion.

DISCLOSURES FOR PLANNERS AND FACULTY

Planners

Nancy A. Bowers, BSN, RN, MPH - Nothing to Disclose             

Andrew R. La Barbera, PhD, HCLD - Nothing to Disclose

Shelley Lee, PhD – Nothing to Disclose

Content Development and Review

Teresa Barry Longley, MSN - Nothing to Disclose

G. Wright Bates, MD - Nothing to Disclose

Jean Benward, M.S.,M.S.W. -  Nothing to Disclose

Bruce R Carr, MD - Grants/research: AbbVie, Medicines 360; Speakers Bureau: Shionogi, Noven, Pfizer

Gary Frishman, MD – Consultant: Columbia Labs

Joann Galst, Ph.D. -  Nothing to Disclose

Elizabeth Grill, PsyD – Consultant: SouthEastern Fertility

Shalini Gunawardena, RN - Nursing Advisory Board: EMD Serono, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy

Karen Hammond, DNP, NP – Consultant: Merck

Judith Horowitz, Ph.D. –  Nothing to Disclose

Bradley Hurst, MD - Nothing to Disclose

Maria Jackson, RN, MA – Consultant: Walgreens, Merck

Angela Lawson, PhD – Nothing to Disclose

Carol Lesser, MSN – Speakers’ Bureau: Watson

Eric Levens, MD; Stockholder – Nothing to Disclose

Susan Lockhart, BS,MBA,PhD  – Nothing to Disclose  

Elizabeth McGee, MD – Nothing to Disclose

Peter McGovern, MD – Grant/Research: Ferring, EMD Serono, Merck

Ira Sharlip, MD  – Nothing to Disclose           

Angela Smith, EdD, APN – Nothing to Disclose            

Cigdem Tanrikut, MD – Nothing to Disclose

Tamara Tobias, NP – Consultant: Merck, Walgreens; Speakers’ Bureau: Serono 

James P. Toner, MD, PhD – Consultant: Ferring

It is the policy of the ASRM to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/authors participating in this activity are expected to disclose any relationships they may have with companies whose products or services may be mentioned so that participants may evaluate the objectivity of the presentations. The content and views presented in this activity are those of the faculty/authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ASRM. Any discussion of off-label, experimental, or investigational use of drugs or devices will also be disclosed. The disclosure statements were reviewed by the Subcommittee for Standards of Commercial Support of the CME Committee of ASRM and any perceived conflicts of interest were resolved in accordance with the policies of the ACCME.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This CME activity is sponsored by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

No commercial support was provided for this activity.