PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

MALAYSIA

Malaysian Menopause Society

http://www.menopause.org.my/

Malaysian Society of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (MSART)

http://www.msart.org.my/

Damansara Fertility Centre

http://www.tmcfertility.com/

O&G Society in Malaysia

http://www.obgynanrush.com/

Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia MJOG

http://www.ogsm.org.my

WORLDWIDE

Society for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

http://www.socrei.org/

Arizona Centre for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

http://www.infertility-azctr.com/

Association of Reproductive Manager

http://www.asrm.org/Professionals/PG-SIG-Affiliated_Soc/arm/index.html

Concept Fertility Centre ( Australia )

http://www.conceptfertility.com.my/

http://www.rcog.org.uk/

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website is dedicated to the encouragement of the study and the advancement of the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. The website contains a wealth of information for both consultants and trainees alike.

http://www.obgyn.net/

This website contains over 1,000,000 pages of educational content, discussion forums, videos, educational tutorials, images, Ask the Expert, personal experiences, career, job and product information, news, reports from key conferences and social networking.

NATURE OF WORK

These doctors can work in a hospital or clinic setting, offering a variety of services to their patients. Many infertility clinics employ reproductive endocrinologists so that they will be available as part of patient care teams, and these medical specialists can also work independently. The work includes interpreting test results, performing physical exams, conducting patient interviews, and making referrals to other health care providers ranging from obstetricians to psychologists.

DEGREE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Below are the school and training requirements that an ob/gyn and Reproductive Endocrinologist must complete.

Ob/Gyn

• four years of medical school
• residency program in ob/gyn

Reproductive Endocrinologist

• four years of medical school
• residency program in ob/gyn

To Become Board Certified in Ob/Gyn, the doctor must:

• graduate from college & medical school
• complete 4-year residency in ob/gyn
• pass written exam in ob/gyn
• complete 2-year practice experience
• pass oral exam in ob/gyn

To Become Board Certified in Endocrinology, the doctor must:

• complete all requirements for ob/gyn board certification (see above)
• attend 2-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology
• pass written exam in reproductive endocrinology
• pass oral exam in ob/gyn
• complete 2-year practice experience
• pass 3-hour oral exam in reproductive endocrinology

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

All reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship programs must be at

least thirty-six (36) months in duration. Within a fellowship program, the

length of fellowship must be the same for each fellow. A minimum of

eighteen (18) months is required for research/didactic efforts and a minimum

of twelve (12) months in clinical reproductive endocrinology/ infertility. The

remaining six (6) months may be tailored to electives or be focused in a

specific clinical or research area at the discretion of the program director.

The apportionment of time must be constructed to achieve four (4) major

objectives including:

1.Experience in the management of a wide variety of clinical problems

affecting the development, the function, and the aging of the human

reproductive system. This experience should include disorders

related to both men and women, as detailed in the Guide to Learning

in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

2.Adequate and diverse medical and surgical experience related to

infertility and reproductive disorders (including management of

ovulation defects and techniques of assisted reproduction, which

must include an adequate number and success rate), contraception,

aging, and the surgical management of acquired and developmental

abnormalities of the reproductive tract.

3.Knowledge of the techniques and limitations of various diagnostic,

surgical, and laboratory procedures utilized in clinical reproductive

endocrinology and infertility.

4.A research experience centered on an intensive specific area of

investigation that will provide a thesis for the fellow and also

stimulate future independent study.

5.Osteopathic philosophy, principles and practices as they relate to

reproductive endocrinology and infertility shall be integrated into the

training program.

SCOPE OF WORK

One of the most common jobs for a reproductive endocrinologist is in fertility treatment. When patients present to their primary care provider with fertility problems, they receive a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist who can conduct testing to see if hormone imbalances are responsible for the infertility. He or she can prescribe medications to address imbalances and increase fertility, helping patients conceive. When patients conceive successfully, the reproductive endocrinologist may be part of the medical team which monitors the pregnancy and supports the patients.

Reproductive endocrinologists can also be involved in the treatment of people going through puberty, or transsexuals and intersexed individuals seeking assistance with hormone treatment as part of their treatment plan. Girls with heavy periods, men and women with sexual dysfunction, and adults experiencing hormone imbalances related to the reproductive system can also be treated by a reproductive endocrinologist. Treatment options available can include surgery, hormone replacement, and concurrent care with another provider such as an oncologist who may address a reproductive cancer while the endocrinologist provides monitoring and treatment of abnormal hormone levels.

MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCES

Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology is one of the major discipline in HSB Alor Star, Kedah. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides consultation, comprehensive treatment planning, and a broad range of services for patients with normal and high-risk pregnancies and for gynecology, including oncology, reproductive endocrinology and Urogynaecology.

The department is responsible for the care of all obstetric and gynecologic patients in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah and also a tertiary referall centre for patients from Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia In addition to patient care, the department is noted for its strong educational programs for medical students, residents, fellows, and subspeciality trainees. It is a recognized subspeciality training centre for Gynaecology Oncology and Maternal Fetal Medicine.

With total delivery of approximately 11,000/year, HSB is one of the largest maternity hospital in Malaysia.In keeping with the institution's tertiary care role, a large proportion represents complicated or high-risk conditions.

Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB) was formerly known as Hospital Alor Star. Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah was operating since July 2007. The hospital is situated in Jalan Langgar, Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia approximately 5km from central of Alor Star city. Obstetrics and Gynaecology services is one of the most important services provided by Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah. Department Obstetrics & Gynaecology HSB provides a wide range of services encompassing form basic general O&G services to wide range of subspeciality services. There are 4 subspeciality division in this department i.e :

1. Gynaecology Oncology Unit

2. Maternal-Fetal Unit

3. Reproductive Medicine Unit

4. Urogynaecology Unit

Apart from the above subspeciality services, there are alsoGeneral Obstetrics & Gynaecology services provided by trained Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology Oncology Unit

Gynaecology Oncology Unit Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah is the leading Gynae Oncology centre in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia and one of the most established Gynae Oncology unit in Malaysia. We provides the following services :

a. Preinvasive Clinic

b. Colposcopy , LEEP and Cryotherapy Clinic

c. Gynaecology Oncology Clinic

d. Molar Clinic

e. Gynaecology cancer surgery

f. Inpatient and outpatient (daycare) Chemotherapy services

g. Gynae Cancer research

h. Gynae Oncology Support Group
i. Training for Gynae Onco Subspeciality

Maternal-Fetal Unit

Maternal Fetal Unit HSB provides comprehensive care to pregnant women and prenatal diagnosis. It is also referal centre for Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Subspeciality

**Reproductive Medicine Unit

Reproductive Medicine Unit HSB is also a referal centre for infertility treatment and we provide the following services :

-Infertility clinic

-IUI services

-Adolescent Clinic

-PCOS clinic

-Menopause clinic

-Menstrual disorder clinic

-IVF,ICSI

Sheela Women Specialist Centres

Sheela Women Specialist Centres deliver consistent, good quality, value driven Obstetric & Gynaecology services to the Klang Valley. Our flagship Hospital in Klang, was conceived by Dr Sheela MBBS, FRCOG (London) in 1985 with the aims of increasing women’s health awareness, cultivating patient centric care and ensuring robust standards of patient safety are met. Our multidisciplinary team of dedicated clinicians, bilingual nurses and theatre personnel culminate in the delivery of tailored individual patient care pathways. The launch of our satellite clinic in Kuala Selangor in Jun 2006, continues to perpetuate our vision of an accessible global standard in Obstetric and Gynaecology care at your doorstep. In line with Malaysia’s thriving landscape, we remain poised to embark on an era of booming Health Tourism. Vision;

We aim to deliver cost-effective, good quality Obstetric and Gynaecology care that is convenient and accessible to the general public

Hospital Sibu

Teleprimary Care is a method of delivering health care service through the integration of ICT using the satellite communication system.

Only 4 disciplines are currently using this application at the specialist clinics as pilot disciplines.

-obstetric and gynaecology

-pediatric

-internal medicine

-dermatology

DEFINITION

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility

Reproductive endocrinology is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology that entails reproductive medicine, also known as infertility treatment. Fertility medicine uses a variety of artificial methods to help a woman become pregnant when she has been unable to conceive naturally. This relatively new medical sub-specialty relies upon cutting-edge technology that becomes more advanced each year.

The field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility is a subspecialty within obstetrics and gynecology. Board-certified reproductive endocrinologists, in the United States, must complete a three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, sit for a written exam at the end of residency and then have an oral exam after the first few years of practice.

Reproductive endocrinologists are qualified to handle complex medical issues, involving hormonal imbalances in the reproductive system, such as infertility and recurrent miscarriages.

A reproductive endocrinologist would usually not be a primary provider of prenatal care throughout pregnancy but would manage testing and treatment of fertility issues before transferring patients back to an OB/GYN for prenatal care once the pregnancy was established and appeared viable.

INTRODUCTION

Obstetric and Gynaecology

Obstetrics and gynecology (often abbreviated to OB/GYN, OBG, O&G or Obs & Gynae) are the two surgical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training program. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients.

Subspecialities

Examples of subspecialty training available to physicians in the US are:

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine - an obstetrical subspecialty, sometimes referred to as "perinatology," that focuses on the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies
  
• Reproductive endocrinology and infertility - subspecialty that focuses on the biological causes and interventional treatment of infertility
  
• Gynecological Oncology — gynecologic subspecialty focusing on the medical and surgical treatment of women with cancers of the reproductive organs
  
• Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery — gynecologic subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of women with urinary incontinence and prolapse of the pelvic organs. Sometimes referred to (incorrectly) by laypersons as "Female Urology"
  
• Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
  
• Family Planning - gynecologic subspecialty offering training in contraception and pregnancy termination (abortion)
  
• Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
  
• Menopausal and Geriatric Gynecology
  

Of these, only the first four are truly recognized sub-specialties by the Accredited Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG.) The other sub-specialities are recognized as informal concentrations of practice. To be recognized as a board-certified subspecialist, a practitioner must have completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship and obtained a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) which requires an additional standardized examination.
Additionally, physicians of other specialties may become trained in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO), a short certification that equips them to better manage emergent OB/GYN situations.