Combined Training in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Genetics

Combined Training in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Genetics

The MFM training program and the medical genetics residency must be within the same institution, or be participants in a well-integrated multi-institutional program.

Both the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology must approve the written plan for the integrated program. The proposal must indicate timing of rotations and required educational activities for the trainee. Letters of support from the directors of the MFM program and the Medical Genetics programs must accompany the written proposal.

The fellow/resident must have met all requirements for participation as a MFM trainee and a medical genetics resident.

Medical Genetics Requirements

The trainee must meet all requirements of a full 24-month residency program in Medical Genetics. 1) 24 months in an ACGME accredited residency in an appropriate specialty other than genetics; 2) 24 months of training in an ACGME accredited medical genetics residency

In this proposed program the successful completion of an ACGME recognized OBGYN residency would qualify the trainee for participation in the medical genetics residency program.

Rotations in areas not directly related to OB/GYN and MFM must be part of the genetics training.  These areas of training include but are not limited to the genetic disorders of children, adults, cancer, metabolic disease and other basic genetic areas.

Rotations covering the academic and clinical training for the MFM fellowship and the genetics residency may be alternated in units of not less than 4 weeks.  However the first 6 months of genetic residency must not be interrupted with MFM training assignments. However, one-half to one day per week of continuity clinics for the alternate service may be maintained within each rotation.

Genetic residency clinical and academic responsibilities must take priority over MFM clinical responsibilities during medical genetic residency training periods.  However, continuity clinics for patients seen in the MFM training may continue during medical genetics training.

Efforts must be made to integrate the MFM/genetics resident(s) with the standard medical genetics residents

Rotations appropriate for credit for both MFM and medical genetics may occur, but no more than 6 months of rotations within the genetics residency may be deemed “shared” with the MFM fellowship.  Shared rotations  may not occur until after the first 6 months of genetic residency are completed and must have supervision by  instructors  from both specialties.

The research component of the medical genetics residency may be subsumed into the MFM research program as long as the research topic relates to genetic issues.

Maternal and Fetal Medicine Requirements

A minimum of 12 months of clinical training in core Maternal-Fetal Medicine is required for each fellow.  This experience need not be continuous but the fellow must become proficient in ultrasound and the treatment of complicated obstetric patients.

Within the structure of the integrated program, a minimum of 18 months of protected time for research and graduate level course work is required for the MFM fellow, during which no more than 10% time may be devoted to clinical activities.

Didactic conferences specifically designed for fellows must be incorporated into the fellowship so that the fellow has an appropriate understanding of physiology and pathophysiology of the mother and newborn.

APPLICATION PROCESS