8^th Postgraduate Course in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology

Geneva WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction

in collaboration with

UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank
Special Programme of Research , Development and Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)

Report

There were 26 participants from 15 different nations participating in the 8^th postgraduate course which was held from 1^st September to 15^th October 1998 in Geneva. (Appendix 1)

Course structure

This year’s course was structured in eight modules with morning lectures and afternoon sessions. The afternoon sessions provided mostly a more general information about different reproductive health issues in different regions and settings.

Three of the modules were held in WHO (Epidemiology, Statistics, Cochrane Library and Family Planning module by HRP and Safe Motherhood module by the same named programme).

At the end of each module one of the students presented a short summary of the module which helped them to re-memorize what they have just learned. (Appendix 2)

Running of the course

Throughout the course all students had access to personal computers (2 students sharing 1 computer). Access to Internet and Medline was very important for their literature search and for obtaining information for their projects.

As not all of the participants were computer literate and had experience in using Internet, we provided training so that all of the students could perform a literature search and prepare their bibliographic review and oral presentation electronically. Two libraries (medical library and library at WHO) were available for the participants and professional help from librarians could be obtained if necessary.

Accommodation for participants

During the course most of the students stayed at the campus facilities (Cité Universitaire), some students had arranged beforehand private accommodation.

Exams

In order to successfully complete the course and to obtain the ‘Certificate in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology’ the students had to pass an exam, consisting of three parts.

• A questionnaire developed in a multiple choice format consisting of 60 questions and two open questions, which were all proposed by individual course lecturers and reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
• A bibliographic search was performed during the six week course. All students chose their topics for the review at the beginning of the course. They were then asked to prepare the review under the guidance of a tutor from WHO/HRP or Geneva University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology .
• The oral part was a 15 minute presentation followed by questions from individual lecturers/tutors and gave a reflection of each student’s ‘in-depth’ knowledge of her/his chosen topic.

The final mark for each student were done as follows:

Bibiliographic search	notes 0-2
Oral presentation	notes 0-2
Written exam:
2 open questions	notes 0-2
Multiple choice questions	notes 0-6

The final note of the course was obtained by adding the four notes divided by two.

The results in 1998 were the following:

7 candidates	note 5
16 candidates	note 4
3 candidates	note 3

Twenty-three of the participants obtained the ‘Certificate in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology’.

It was very much emphasized that the participants, besides the bibliographic review, develop a proposal for a research project: a project that is relevant to their settings, in their countries.

Different types of projects ranging from clinical trials addressing different aspects of maternal health, projects about certain countries’ reproductive health profiles, a systematic review and a multicentre study in the field of basic science and genetics were among the projects developed.

A group of students from Albania is preparing a Reproductive Health Manual for medical and parmedical staff in Albania.

At the end of the course the participants were asked to complete an evaluation form to provide us with feed back about the course. As a result, the students found the course very useful and important to improve their skills as well as relevant for their own settings. This evaluation of the course will give guidance for future course development and contents.

Funding was provided through:

• WHO/HRP
• International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)
• Division of Public Health, Bellinzona, Canton of Ticino
• Swiss National Science Foundation
• Geneva - Yaounde Cooperation
• University of Buenos Aires
• Private donors

(Appendix 1)

Present and future activities

• Monitoring and resource mobilization of the ongoing projects
• Over the last few months a network with the participants of the course has been established. The aim of the network is to exchange information between people interested in reproductive health and to create a basis for future international activities.

Appendix 1

List of participants

Appendix 2