VIRTUAL STUDY WEEK 2020
Virtual Study Week will be accessible from the 15th June 2020 until 31st December 2020.
The talks are pre-recorded to allow flexible access that suits the demands and restrictions presented by the current situation.
The modules can be completed at your leisure, completed in stages, in one sitting or revisited if required.
Why take part in virtual Study Week?
Study Week offers an impressive line-up of expert speakers covering 8 specialised modules, ensuring you receive quality training whatever your field or stage of your career.
BFS Module Certification
Study Week modules will be of interest to those already registered, or considering undertaking the BFS Module Certification.
BFS Membership benefits
If you are not already a BFS member, do consider joining as this ensures you can register for study days at discounted rates. As a member, you will also be able to enrol for the highly regarded BFS Training Modules that lead to certification, linked to many of the Study Days. For further information and application procedure please follow the link below:
Find out more about BFS certification and apply.
Study Week Modules
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Creating Modern Families
Alka Prakash, Chair
More people than ever before are creating families using donor gametes. This is a very important part of fertility provision and often captures public imaginations due to limited availability and regulatory provision around the use of donor gametes. This study day aims to highlight the complexities of modern families including the regulatory changes that have led to the evolution of such treatments. It also highlights the clinical and legal aspects associated with creating such families, the importance of counselling and some commonly encountered issues. It would benefit any staff (doctors and fertility nurse specialists) involved in providing or planning to provide this service. This study day is now available as a BFS Certificated Module.
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Embryo Transfer & IUI
Deborah Evans, Chair
The Embryo Transfer and IUI Study Day provides a theoretical platform to develop your knowledge base in this area of fertility. We have a comprehensive program with lectures provided by some of the most respected and knowledgeable clinicians and embryologists within the UK. They will share their expertise and experiences within their area of speciality.
The Study Day is open to clinicians, nurses, embryologists and any other related discipline who would benefit from this educational event
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Fertility Preservation
Melanie Davies, Chair
As cancer treatments continue to improve, the prospect of long-term survival and cure is becoming ever more a reality. Infertility is the commonest long-term adverse effect of cancer treatment. Consequently fertility preservation in cancer survivors is becoming an increasingly important aspect of our daily clinical practice. This study day will address this important area crossing the boundaries between the various disciplines involved, with talks from Clinicians, Nurses and Scientists both in the fields of Reproductive Medicine and Oncology. The course will cover the effect of cancer treatment on fertility, approaches for male and female fertility preservation, as well as the ins and outs of setting up and managing an effective fertility preservation programme.
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Male Fertility
Kevin McEleny, Chair
Male fertility problems are extremely common, but many fertility practitioners understandably lack experience and confidence in dealing with them. This popular course, now in its fifth year and linked to a BFS Training Module, aims to improve the knowledge base and skills of Fertility Practitioners who work with men. The talks, which cover all aspects of male fertility, are given by leading UK / International Figures and the course has received excellent feedback, particularly in terms of addressing learning requirements. This course is suitable for Reproductive Physicians, Urologists, Fertility Nurses and Clinical Scientists –in fact anyone who deals with male patients.
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Nursing Study Day
Jane Denton, Chair
This study day is designed to help fertility nurses review their personal career pathway and contribute to their re-validation and the development of knowledge and expertise.
Fertility nurses at every level of practice will benefit from the day. Nurses with a longer career in fertility will be most welcome as it is an important opportunity to share experiences with newer fertility nurses and colleagues and shape the future of this specialist area of practice.
The slightly amended 2020 Virtual Study Day programme will be delivered by Jane Denton (CBE, FRCN Director The Multiple Births Foundation/Co-lead Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre and President of the BFS), Carmel Bagness (RCN Professional Lead Midwifery & Women’s Health) and Wendy Norton (Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, De Montfort University). Talks will focus on the RCN Education & Career Progression Framework for Fertility Nursing, mapping your career and the importance of nurse-led research.
As part of the programme, we are also planning a live interactive panel discussion, “The Future of Fertility Nursing – sustaining and developing the specialty – views from a beginner, proficient nurse, expert & manager”. As well as the live discussion, we will be inviting nurses to submit questions ahead of time in order that we have a wide ranging and interesting meeting.
Your feedback will also be invaluable with helping to plan the Study Day in coming years so we do hope you will be able to participate.
-
Pelvic Ultrasound
Ippokratis Sarris, Chair
Ultrasound is an essential tool in the investigation and management of women with fertility problems. Delegates attending the course will gain a comprehensive overview, starting with basic principles through to advanced techniques, of how to use and optimize ultrasound as a tool essential in the practise of reproductive medicine and fertility. Delegates will understand how to best use 2D, 3D and Doppler modes to extract relevant information for the diagnosis and management of fertility problems and treatment cycles. Delegates will also learn how ultrasound
can be used to perform diagnostic and operative procedures relevant to fertility. This course represents the mandatory Study Day for the BFS certification module in Pelvic Ultrasound.
Target audience
• Trainees currently registered, or considering completion of the BFS certification module in Pelvic
Ultrasound
• All trainees wishing to acquire gynaecological ultrasound skills targeted specifically to fertility assessment
• Practising gynaecologists, nurses and allied health professional who wish to improve their fertility scanning skills
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PGT
Yacoub Khalaf, Chair
This study day aims to give information on providing PGT as part of a multidisciplinary service delivered by genetic and ART specialists. It will allow attendees to appreciate the burden of genetic disorders and their mode of inheritance whilst acquiring the latest knowledge on reproductive options for couples who are at risk of having a child affected by a genetic disorder. It will also discuss the application of PGS as an option to patients seeking treatment and its advantages and disadvantages. The session aims to ensure an understanding of the typical clinical pathway of PGT, and how regulation works in the UK, appreciate the embryology lab processes required , to familiarise attendees with the latest genetic diagnostic technologies and clinical scenarios will also be presented. This study day will be of interest to ATSM candidates, Consultants, ART specialists, Nurses, Embryologists and Counsellors.
-
PR - Effective Fertility Services
Mostafa Metwally (BFS) & Rachel Cutting (HFEA) – Joint Chairs
This joint BFS/HFEA course will cover all aspects of developing and running an effective fertility service as well as help you gain a firm understanding of the legislation and quality management issues essential for running a high-quality fertility service. The course provides the basis for recognition and registration as a PR by the HFEA.
Creating Modern Families
Alka Prakash, Chair
More people than ever before are creating families using donor gametes. This is a very important part of fertility provision and often captures public imaginations due to limited availability and regulatory provision around the use of donor gametes. This study day aims to highlight the complexities of modern families including the regulatory changes that have led to the evolution of such treatments. It also highlights the clinical and legal aspects associated with creating such families, the importance of counselling and some commonly encountered issues. It would benefit any staff (doctors and fertility nurse specialists) involved in providing or planning to provide this service. This study day is now available as a BFS Certificated Module.
Embryo Transfer & IUI
Deborah Evans, Chair
The Embryo Transfer and IUI Study Day provides a theoretical platform to develop your knowledge base in this area of fertility. We have a comprehensive program with lectures provided by some of the most respected and knowledgeable clinicians and embryologists within the UK. They will share their expertise and experiences within their area of speciality.
The Study Day is open to clinicians, nurses, embryologists and any other related discipline who would benefit from this educational event
Fertility Preservation
Melanie Davies, Chair
As cancer treatments continue to improve, the prospect of long-term survival and cure is becoming ever more a reality. Infertility is the commonest long-term adverse effect of cancer treatment. Consequently fertility preservation in cancer survivors is becoming an increasingly important aspect of our daily clinical practice. This study day will address this important area crossing the boundaries between the various disciplines involved, with talks from Clinicians, Nurses and Scientists both in the fields of Reproductive Medicine and Oncology. The course will cover the effect of cancer treatment on fertility, approaches for male and female fertility preservation, as well as the ins and outs of setting up and managing an effective fertility preservation programme.
Male Fertility
Kevin McEleny, Chair
Male fertility problems are extremely common, but many fertility practitioners understandably lack experience and confidence in dealing with them. This popular course, now in its fifth year and linked to a BFS Training Module, aims to improve the knowledge base and skills of Fertility Practitioners who work with men. The talks, which cover all aspects of male fertility, are given by leading UK / International Figures and the course has received excellent feedback, particularly in terms of addressing learning requirements. This course is suitable for Reproductive Physicians, Urologists, Fertility Nurses and Clinical Scientists –in fact anyone who deals with male patients.
Nursing Study Day
Jane Denton, Chair
This study day is designed to help fertility nurses review their personal career pathway and contribute to their re-validation and the development of knowledge and expertise.
Fertility nurses at every level of practice will benefit from the day. Nurses with a longer career in fertility will be most welcome as it is an important opportunity to share experiences with newer fertility nurses and colleagues and shape the future of this specialist area of practice.
The slightly amended 2020 Virtual Study Day programme will be delivered by Jane Denton (CBE, FRCN Director The Multiple Births Foundation/Co-lead Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre and President of the BFS), Carmel Bagness (RCN Professional Lead Midwifery & Women’s Health) and Wendy Norton (Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, De Montfort University). Talks will focus on the RCN Education & Career Progression Framework for Fertility Nursing, mapping your career and the importance of nurse-led research.
As part of the programme, we are also planning a live interactive panel discussion, “The Future of Fertility Nursing – sustaining and developing the specialty – views from a beginner, proficient nurse, expert & manager”. As well as the live discussion, we will be inviting nurses to submit questions ahead of time in order that we have a wide ranging and interesting meeting.
Your feedback will also be invaluable with helping to plan the Study Day in coming years so we do hope you will be able to participate.
Pelvic Ultrasound
Ippokratis Sarris, Chair
Ultrasound is an essential tool in the investigation and management of women with fertility problems. Delegates attending the course will gain a comprehensive overview, starting with basic principles through to advanced techniques, of how to use and optimize ultrasound as a tool essential in the practise of reproductive medicine and fertility. Delegates will understand how to best use 2D, 3D and Doppler modes to extract relevant information for the diagnosis and management of fertility problems and treatment cycles. Delegates will also learn how ultrasound
can be used to perform diagnostic and operative procedures relevant to fertility. This course represents the mandatory Study Day for the BFS certification module in Pelvic Ultrasound.
Target audience
• Trainees currently registered, or considering completion of the BFS certification module in Pelvic
Ultrasound
• All trainees wishing to acquire gynaecological ultrasound skills targeted specifically to fertility assessment
• Practising gynaecologists, nurses and allied health professional who wish to improve their fertility scanning skills
PGT
Yacoub Khalaf, Chair
This study day aims to give information on providing PGT as part of a multidisciplinary service delivered by genetic and ART specialists. It will allow attendees to appreciate the burden of genetic disorders and their mode of inheritance whilst acquiring the latest knowledge on reproductive options for couples who are at risk of having a child affected by a genetic disorder. It will also discuss the application of PGS as an option to patients seeking treatment and its advantages and disadvantages. The session aims to ensure an understanding of the typical clinical pathway of PGT, and how regulation works in the UK, appreciate the embryology lab processes required , to familiarise attendees with the latest genetic diagnostic technologies and clinical scenarios will also be presented. This study day will be of interest to ATSM candidates, Consultants, ART specialists, Nurses, Embryologists and Counsellors.
PR - Effective Fertility Services
Mostafa Metwally (BFS) & Rachel Cutting (HFEA) – Joint Chairs
This joint BFS/HFEA course will cover all aspects of developing and running an effective fertility service as well as help you gain a firm understanding of the legislation and quality management issues essential for running a high-quality fertility service. The course provides the basis for recognition and registration as a PR by the HFEA.