Clinical issues and controversies module (GM50031)

Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) is treatment to helps patients conceive, and includes a wide range of interventions, such as ovulation induction, intra-uterine insemination and surgery.

Building on your knowledge from the Fundamental Science Module, you will be exploring the clinical aspects of reproductive medicine, with a focus on the key ethical, legal and controversial issues. The close links to a highly successful Assisted Conception Unit (ACU) at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, allows students to by taught by specialised clinical staff and access clinical data and videos from patients attending this service.

To enhance your understanding of the patient journey, you will follow patients through their whole fertility treatment, using a virtual environment.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• explore the clinical aspects of reproductive medicine, including general infertility, male and female infertility, reproductive surgery and ART.
• recognise the important ethical, regulatory, and financial issues involved.
• apply your learning to real patients undergoing ART, by observing a series of case presentations and patient videos as they progress through the various steps of their treatment.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• critically apply your core scientific knowledge in reproductive medicine to patient management.
• understand the epidemiology, investigation, diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
• critically evaluate published literature in infertility care.
• develop appropriate strategies to address ethical and controversial issues in clinical practice.
• communicate complex medical issues to patients, staff and colleagues.

Assignments / assessment

• Reflective log book: 50% (semester 1)
• Case presentations: 50% (semester 2)

Teaching methods / timetable

• recorded lectures
• tutorials
• workshops.
• In addition, there are interactive journal clubs, case presentations and discussion boards. Materials are provided to support self-directed study

This module is part of a part-time distance learning course (MSc Clinical Embryology and IVF). All teaching and materials will be available online, with the majority of activities taking place asynchronously in our virtual learning environment.

Optional drop-in sessions with course tutors are available regularly throughout the module. Additional support can also be provided through your academic advisor.

There will also be a selection of formative activities to help you build your skills and knowledge and interact with your tutors and peers. These include:

• discussion forums
• case presentations
• group projects
• quizzes
• Q&A sessions