Broadening the educational pipeline: the global landscape of master of science programs in reproductive science and medicine.

Reproductive health underpins overall health, and thus, research in reproductive science and medicine is essential. This requires a pipeline of trained scientists and clinicians, which is challenging given the relatively small size of the field. Educational programs outside the traditional doctorate or medical degrees are needed to generate and maintain a well-trained reproductive science and medicine workforce. Master's programs have gained traction as a viable way for students to receive educational value relative to their career goals. Our hypothesis is master's degree programs in the fundamental, applied, and allied health reproductive fields broadens the workforce and increases impact. An internet web search identified 73 programs that conferred an MS degree in the areas of animal science, clinical/embryology, and reproductive health/biology. These programs are spread across the globe in Europe (47%), North America (23%), Asia (14%), South America (7%), Oceania (5%), and Africa (4%). To evaluate global exemplars, we profiled the mission and structure, curriculum, and program impact of two established master's degree programs: the Master of Science in Reproductive Science and Medicine at Northwestern University in the United States and the Biology and Technology of Reproduction in Mammals at the University of Murcia in Spain. Elements of infrastructure and support, program connectivity, and alumni networks were analyzed for their role in the success of the programs. These two programs have formally trained >375 individuals, demonstrating master's degree programs in reproductive science are an important educational mechanism. The educational best practices shared here serve as templates for expanding training programs worldwide.

A View from the past into our collective future: the oncofertility consortium vision statement.

PURPOSE: Today, male and female adult and pediatric cancer patients, individuals transitioning between gender identities, and other individuals facing health extending but fertility limiting treatments can look forward to a fertile future. This is, in part, due to the work of members associated with the Oncofertility Consortium. METHODS: The Oncofertility Consortium is an international, interdisciplinary initiative originally designed to explore the urgent unmet need associated with the reproductive future of cancer survivors. As the strategies for fertility management were invented, developed or applied, the individuals for who the program offered hope, similarly expanded. As a community of practice, Consortium participants share information in an open and rapid manner to addresses the complex health care and quality-of-life issues of cancer, transgender and other patients. To ensure that the organization remains contemporary to the needs of the community, the field designed a fully inclusive mechanism for strategic planning and here present the findings of this process. RESULTS: This interprofessional network of medical specialists, scientists, and scholars in the law, medical ethics, religious studies and other disciplines associated with human interventions, explore the relationships between health, disease, survivorship, treatment, gender and reproductive longevity. CONCLUSION: The goals are to continually integrate the best science in the service of the needs of patients and build a community of care that is ready for the challenges of the field in the future.

Barriers and Opportunities of Oncofertility Practice in Nine Developing Countries and the Emerging Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network.

PURPOSE: Oncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence. METHODS: We generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners Network-Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed, and discussed. RESULTS: Surveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs, and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future. CONCLUSION: The current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further build cultural competency.

Barriers and Opportunities of Oncofertility Practice in Nine Developing Countries and the Emerging Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network.

PURPOSE: Oncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence. METHODS: We generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners Network-Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed, and discussed. RESULTS: Surveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs, and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future. CONCLUSION: The current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further build cultural competency.

Oncofertility-An emerging discipline rather than a special consideration.

Originally absent from the oncologist's consult, then placed in a 'quality of life' rubric, oncofertility should now be an essential part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan in patients of reproductive age, including adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Oncofertility encompasses the endocrine health of the patient, as well as fertility management options. Thus, pubertal transitions in males and females, bone health, and menstrual health are all part of this discipline, enabling practitioners to work in interdisciplinary teams to solve problems in reproductive health. This review provides a summary of the essential considerations required for the assessement of reproductive risk and choice of fertility preservation options as well as considerations for developing oncofertility services for AYAs.