The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship curriculum provides traditional and nontraditional training activities in a variety of clinical and classroom settings and instructional formats.
Educational Opportunities
The department devotes a half day of protected time for departmental and subspecialty learning every Thursday morning. This devoted time encompasses the Department of Women’s Health Grand Rounds, obstetric patient safety conferences, MFM division of Journal Club, ultrasound teaching rounds and MFM division meetings and case conferences.
A weekly MFM multi-disciplinary conference is held to discuss complex cases being managed by the division. Imaging studies and review of the current literature are incorporated into the development of management plans. Input to these discussions is provided by MFM faculty, MFM fellows, OB-GYN residents on the MFM rotation, MFM nurse navigators, genetic counselors and neonatology.
A monthly journal club is coordinated by the MFM fellows as a means of keeping abreast of new research developments. Skills in critical appraisal of the literature are developed through the discussion of current articles. Once a quarter, the MFM and neonatology fellows sponsor a Journal Club to identify pertinent literature that highlights new areas of knowledge with particular impact on both divisions. The goal is to develop highly honed skills in the assessment of medical studies to support a life-long practice of evidence-based medicine. Results of these discussions can lead to changes in recommended management protocols.
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center holds weekly multidisciplinary rounds in which recent cases seen for consultation are discussed by a team that involves the CFCC faculty and various pediatric subspecialties including cardiology, surgery, genetics, neonatology, neurology and others depending on the cases presented. Relevant imaging studies from ultrasound, MRI and fetal echocardiography are reviewed to highlight findings and provide learning around the assessment and management of fetal anomalies and cases eligible for fetal interventions. One round each month is devoted to fetal cardiology cases and includes participation from pediatric cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Highlights of cases currently undergoing postnatal care are included so that the entire continuity of care can be seen.
As part of the Thursday morning protected educational time, MFM fellows participate in an educational series geared solely to their needs. A variety of formats are used but the essence is a small group format where fellows meet one-on-one with a faculty member to discuss topics pertinent to the fellow’s education. Time is also set aside for self-directed learning that the fellow can tailor to their individual needs.
Fellows as teachers also participate in day-to-day clinical teaching with the medical students and residents, and in formal teaching sessions for the Women’s Health residency program.
Research Training
Fellows have the opportunity to participate in the school-wide research curriculum, From Ideas to Results. This curriculum, funded by the departments of Women’s Health and Population Health, includes year-long course work focused on epidemiology, appraisal of scientific literature, research methods, biostatistics and data computing. The coursework was designed to prepare learners to become independent investigators and introduce them to the research resources available to them at the University.
The Department of Women’s Health boasts a research team with research nurses and research assistants dedicated to the completion of fellow and junior faculty research. Fellows have access to a clinical research team to allow recruitment of patients for prospective clinical trials to continue while they are on clinical rotations, and additional research time is provided in the F2 and F3 years to complete data analysis and manuscript preparation. Monthly fellow research meetings allow fellows to present their work in an ongoing fashion for feedback and problem solving of any new issues (e.g., recruitment).
All fellows are required to complete a research study or thesis as a component of their training. Fellows are also expected to submit their work for presentation and attend the annual scientific meeting hosted by the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
MFM Fellowship Rotations
Year 1
- Outpatient and genetics: 2 months
- The outpatient and genetics curriculum is designed to provide an in-depth experience in managing medical and obstetric complications of pregnancy. Fellows supervise residents in the CommUnity Care High-Risk Obstetrics clinic and provide consultations in the private Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinic.
- Ultrasound and genetics: 2 months
- The MFM ultrasound curriculum is designed to provide balanced, in-depth experience in all aspects of obstetrical imaging. Fellows focus on hands-on scanning of a specific anatomic structure with dedicated instruction on proper scanning technique, image optimization and tips and trick in image acquisition.
- Fellows fully participate in all aspects of clinical services, experience an excellent breadth of pathology and utilize state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment. The curriculum provides a learning environment where MFM fellows learn standard and specialized ultrasonographic examination of the mother and her fetus(es) while simultaneously developing core competencies according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
- The primary goal is to provide instruction to MFM fellows in the natural history, prevalence, manifestations, differential diagnosis and management of the most frequent conditions encountered in obstetrical imaging, allowing development of clinical skills in the utilization and correct interpretation of ultrasonographic studies.
- Inpatient obstetrics/supervisor: 2 months
- The inpatient obstetrics/supervisor experience is a balance between managing a busy antepartum service and managing labor and delivery. The fellow will supervise residents and medical students throughout this rotation.
- Research: 6 months
Year 2
- Outpatient and genetics: 3 months
- Ultrasound and genetics: 3 months
- Inpatient obstetrics/supervisor: 2 months
- SICU: 1 month
- Research: 3 months
Year 3
- Outpatient and genetics: 1 month
- Ultrasound and genetics: 1 month
- Inpatient obstetrics/supervisor: 1 month
- Research: 3 months
- Elective: 6 months