090040 Assisted Reproduction
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 090008 An introduction to Reproductive Health
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Over 76,000 assisted reproductive technology treatments cycles are reported in Australia each year. This subject aims to expand on students' understanding of the fertility pathway and build on the complexity of the concepts inherent in the fertility pathway to further develop their capacity to undertake or expand their career in the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) sector. Through knowledge of anatomy, physiology, endocrinology and pharmacological theory, the students explore third-party reproduction, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, reporting obligations and outcomes of treatment. A case study approach is used to consider risk management, genetics, and complex pre-implantation genetic diagnosis scenarios.
Student skills in critical thinking and understanding will be honed through interactive online resources, stimulating multimedia materials, and problem-solving tasks. Learning is reinforced with real-world case studies and immediate feedback, fostering reflective and analytical competencies in a guided, yet self-directed environment.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Analyse complexities in trajectories of assisted reproduction including issues associated with third party reproduction |
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| 2. | Identify, plan, implement and evaluate collaborative healthcare for consumers undergoing assisted reproduction |
| 3. | Recognise the diversity of consumers and families undergoing assisted reproduction and integrate this knowledge into planning and implementing effective healthcare |
| 4. | Interpret and discuss genetics as it relates to fertility investigations, interventions and birth outcomes |
Teaching and learning strategies
Orientation Activities
In preparation for the session students have access to activities during orientation week. These activities are designed to introduce them to the subject and their peers, and will assist students to prepare for the subject's assessment tasks.
Independent Learning Activities
This subject is taught using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. An overarching theme of the approaches to teaching and learning is to support students to actively learn with the support of a facilitator who can assist and coach them. Understanding and critical thinking skills will be encouraged via a range of activities, including but not limited to:
- On-line resources to prepare students for active engagement with the subject content
- Thought provoking readings, videos and other activities to stimulate thinking, promote understanding and support analysis and evaluation
- Problem solving, discovery-based and critical thinking activities via a range of guided and self-directed learning opportunities
- Learning that is supported by real world examples, case studies, illustrations and data
- Real-time feedback to student responses to key online activities
- Opportunities for students to reflect on, explain and record their input under advice and guidance.
Readings, videos and activities will be available online relevant to the topic of the week. This will help students progress through the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance student’s understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others and gain feedback. Information and links to learning activities can be accessed via Canvas.
Zoom meetings
Students are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled Zoom meetings as they will provide opportunities for group activities, discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator and the teaching team. Additionally, they will also help students prepare for the subject’s assessment tasks. The schedule for this subject’s zoom meetings is below in the program section.
Content (topics)
- Managing under-/over response to stimulation
- Evidence-based approaches to improving ovarian responses
- Designing cycle plans to facilitate ovulation
- Managing recurrent implantation failure
- Genetics and artificial reproductive technology
- Third party and posthumous reproduction
- Managing cycle outcomes
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Weekly Module Quizzes
| Intent: | Gaining and retaining clinical and therapeutic knowledge is essential for safe, evidence-based care delivery for couples and families going through fertility and infertility treatment. The weekly module quizzes will allow you to test your understanding of the module content and highlight the areas for revision. |
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| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 12 questions per week x 6 quizzes x 15 minutes per quiz. |
Assessment task 2: Treatment Pathway Mapping
| Intent: | With the large number of individuals and couples who engage in assisted reproductive technology each year, it is important for the health professionals supporting them either in the fertility industry or in primary care to understand the complexities around treatment options. An integral part of this support is to guide people undertaking fertility treatment to ensure they understand their treatment options and recognise complications if they arise. In this assessment, students will engage in a case study analysis to focus on the complex treatment path that can exist within IVF treatment. |
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| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1000 words |
Assessment task 3: Discussion Paper
| Intent: | Ethical challenges around genetic testing exist as the related technology develops and more people access genetic testing in association with their reproductive choices. This assessment seeks to explore the student’s understanding of ethics and reproductive health, and how they can support this person / couple while coordinating appropriate care for them. |
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| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2000 words |