Kovačič B, Prados FJ, Plas C, Woodward BJ, Verheyen G, Ramos L, Mäkinen S, Apter SJ, Vidal F, Ziebe S, Magli MC, Lundin K, Sunde A, Plancha CE. ESHRE Clinical Embryologist certification: the first 10 years.
Hum Reprod Open 2020;
2020:hoaa026. [PMID:
32864474 PMCID:
PMC7448581 DOI:
10.1093/hropen/hoaa026]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
What has the ESHRE programme ‘ESHRE Certification for Clinical Embryologists’ achieved
after 10 years?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The post-exam analysis showed a pass rate of 60% for Clinical and 50% for Senior
Clinical Embryologists and a high level of internal consistency of all exams, leading to
a total of 773 certified Clinical and 493 Senior Clinical Embryologists over the
decade.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
In an ESHRE survey on the educational and professional status of Clinical Embryology in
Europe, it was found that education of laboratory personnel working in the field of
assisted reproduction is highly variable between countries. In 2008, ESHRE introduced a
programme, curriculum and certification in the field of Clinical Embryology. Knowledge
gained by postgraduate study of recommended literature, following a clear curriculum, is
verified by a written two-level exam for obtaining a certificate for Clinical (basic) or
Senior Clinical (advanced) Embryologists. With a total of 1266 certificates awarded over
a period of 10 years and recognition by the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes
and their Council for European Specialists Medical Assessment, the ESHRE Clinical
Embryology exams have become an internationally recognized educational standard in the
field of Clinical Embryology.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A retrospective analysis of all applications for ESHRE Clinical (2009–2018) and Senior
Clinical Embryologist Certification (2008–2018) and exam results of the first decade was
carried out by the Steering Committee for Clinical Embryologist Certification.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
A total of 2894 applications for ESHRE Certification for Clinical Embryologists and the
results of 10 exams for the Clinical (1478 candidates) and 11 exams for Senior Clinical
(987 candidates) levels were analysed. A detailed post-exam retrospective analysis was
performed regarding difficulty, discrimination and reliability levels of 1600
multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with a single best answer among four options, from
eight different curriculum topics (Basic cell biology, Genetics, Developmental biology,
Female reproduction, Male reproduction, IVF laboratory, Cryopreservation and Laboratory
management), representing the core theoretical knowledge of Clinical Embryology.
Difficulty levels of the MCQs were subsequently compared regarding each topic and each
yearly exam. The participation and success rates in the ESHRE Clinical Embryology exams
were also assessed in terms of the educational and geographic backgrounds of
candidates.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Over the 10 years studied, the mean pass rate for the Clinical Embryologist exam was
60% (range 41–86%), and for the Senior Clinical Embryologist exam was 50% (range
34–81%). On average, 63% European candidates and 35% non-European candidates passed the
Clinical Embryologist exam, while 52% European candidates and 31% non-European
candidates passed the Senior Clinical Embryologist exam. The candidates’ educational
level impacted on the success of the Clinical Embryologist exam but not of the Senior
Clinical Embryologist exam. The mean difficulty indices by study topic showed that in
the period of 10 years, there were no statistically significant differences between
topics, for either the Clinical or Senior Clinical Embryologist exams. However, the
overall exam difficulty varied between years. Reassuringly, the exam MCQ discrimination
and reliability indices always showed a high level of internal consistency in all
exams.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Some data from the initial ESHRE certification programme were not obtained
electronically, in particular data for education, implying tables and figures reflect
the specified valid data periods. Several countries exhibit different study profiles for
those working in ART laboratories, such that laboratory technicians/technologists
predominate in some countries, while in others only biologists and medical doctors are
allowed to work with human embryos. Such differences could consequently affect the exam
performance of candidates from specific countries.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The ESHRE exams on Clinical Embryology are the most widely, internationally accepted
tests of knowledge in the rapidly growing area of human reproduction. Clinical
Embryology is increasingly recognized as a specific discipline for scientific staff who
are collaborating closely with clinicians in managing human infertility through
medically assisted reproduction. The analysis of the first 10 years of application of a
two-level exam for Clinical Embryology shows a consistent high quality and reliability
of the exam and MCQs used. These results represent an important follow-up of the quality
of the ESHRE Certification programme for Clinical Embryologists, and convincingly
position Clinical Embryology in the wider group of health disciplines that are
harmonized through professional bodies such as ESHRE and European Board & College of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The exams provide a clear step towards the increasing
professional recognition and establishment of Clinical Embryology within health systems
at both European and international level.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
No competing interest. All costs of the Steering Committee meetings were covered by
ESHRE.
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