Who's Treating Your Infertility?

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Infertility presents many people with their first need to seek specialized medical care. It stands to reason that few patients come to fertility treatment knowing about the inherent differences among practitioners in this relatively new and unregulated field of medicine.

For example, did you know that virtually any physician, from any level of training, can advertise their practice as a "fertility specialist"? While there are laws regarding malpractice and, certainly, societal ethics to be considered, there are no laws in the United States designating which physician may claim to specialize in fertility treatment. Even well-meaning physicians, if they lack sufficient training and expertise, can wind up providing less than optimal care and treatment for complex reproductive problems.

That's why it's important to know the credentials of your specialist. Specific training in the sub-specialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) can identify not only strong professional interest and practice emphasis, it could also mean post-doctorate certification that is granted only when a physician has met certain additional requirements.

How Do You Know?

Two organizations for membership by reproductive specialists are the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, or ASRM, and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI.)

The ASRM was established over sixty years ago with the goal of advancing the art, science, and practice of reproductive medicine. It is a multidisciplinary organization, with a membership that includes practicing physicians, researchers, technologists, and affiliated service providers from virtually all related fields. The ASRM does not certify specialists, but it is well known for its potent action in patient advocacy, policy guidance, and education on all topics related to reproductive medicine. The official journal of the ASRM, Fertility & Sterility, has been publishing renowned studies for six decades. Likewise, the ASRM Annual Meeting gathers tens of thousands of professionals each year in different locales, resulting in the dissemination of myriad influential research papers of interest to practitioners and patients alike.

The SREI is a certification-only organization. Members of SREI have passed testing by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG) to obtain certification in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. A physician with such board certifications is referred to as a reproductive endocrinologist (RE.) One of the distinctions made by the ABOG for this title is that the physician's current professional activity must involve the practice of reproductive endocrinology. RE's may work with patients of all ages and genders in regards to all reproductive disorders, not just infertility. Only those physicians who have completed the prerequisite seven additional years of post-med school formal specialty and subspecialty training, along with the aforementioned testing, may legally refer to themselves as REI (subspecialty certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.)

As for the importance of the REI sub-specialty training to your fertility treatment, think of it this way: The physician whose work is primarily as an OB/Gyn spends professional time devoted to helping well women and pregnant women, in addition to labor and delivery. By contrast, OB/Gyns who have chosen to be additionally trained in REI spend their time focused on helping women and men conceive. With the constant growth of new technology for assisting infertility patients, REIs are the physicians who stay abreast of the latest developments and who have the most experience with honing skills necessary for implementing the science.

It's not difficult for a patient to find out their practitioner's credentials. Many will have them listed on their website or in printed information, and all are required to post certifications in clinic areas that are viewable by patients. If you're unsure whether your fertility specialist is as fully trained as possible, ask their staff, "What are the doctor's board certifications? Has he/she been trained in REI?" In the highly specialized arena of reproductive medicine, practitioners and their staff are accustomed to handling such inquiries by patients. They know that you want the best available treatment and that you have a right to know.

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