POSTGRADUTE EDUCATION UNIT

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION UNIT

FACULTY OF MEDICINE, PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY

Fellowship Training in Maternal and Fetal Medicine

With advances in modern medicine, it is now possible to screen, detect, or treat abnormalities of the growing fetus at earlier stage than in the past. At the same time, more women with medical diseases who might not be able to conceive can now become pregnant. Specialized physicians are needed to take care of such patients. In Thailand, Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists are still scarce. The Maternal and Fetal Medicine Unit at Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University has started the fellowship training program since 2003. The aim is to train obstetricians to become sub-specialists who are capable for taking care of high-risk gravidas, performing detailed ultrasound scan, prenatal diagnosis procedures, and some intrauterine interventions.

Degree title

Diploma of the Thai Subspecialty Board of Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Duration of training

2 years, start on July 1st

Prerequisite

The applicant must have Thai medical license and qualify Diplomat Thai Board in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Number of trainee / year

2 positions

How to apply

Register in the Thai Medical Council website; www.tmc.or.th and send the required documents by post.

Educational objectives

Medical doctors who complete their training will have contemporary, standardized knowledge and skills to care for complicated pregnancies with concerns for ethical, moral, and legal perspectives. They will be able to conduct an original research, convey knowledge and be referent model for residents, medical students and other medical personnel.

Rotation

     - 19 months of practice in maternal and fetal medicine, including the MFM ultrasound unit, labor suit, obstetrics ward, and antenatal clinic
     - 1 month in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
     - 1 month in cytogenetics unit
     - 1 month in molecular genetics unit

Course contents

     1. Basic medical and related sciences: endocrinology, embryology, physiology of pregnancy and childbirth, teratology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, etc.
      2. High-risk pregnancy management: pregnancies with medical and surgical complications; obstetrics conditions such as dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, premature delivery, multifetal gestation, fetal anomaly; and gynecologic conditions
     3. Fetal surveillance: antepartum and intrapartum surveillance with different modalities such as electronic monitoring, biophysical profile, Doppler velocimetry
     4. Prenatal screening and diagnosis: aneuploidy screening with ultrasound and serum markers, thalassemia screening, fetal anatomical scan, genetic counseling, amniocentesis, cordocentesis, and non-invasive prenatal test.
     5. Obstetrics ultrasound: general principles of ultrasound, first trimester ultrasound, standard second and third trimester ultrasound, specialized ultrasound including fetal echocardiogram, Doppler study
     6. Fetal therapy: amnioreduction, amnioinfusion, fetal thoracocentesis/ paracentesis, intrauterine transfusion
     7. Ethico-legal aspects in maternal and fetal medicine

Elective course

2 months in other related units such as hematology, endocrinology, cardiology units, or maternal and fetal medicine unit in other institutions

Assessment

     1. Cognitive domain
       - Annual examination in April with 100 MCQs and 1 MEQ, and 1 essay
       - Conference presentation
       - Research progression report
      2. Clinical skills
       - Monthly evaluation by MFM staff
       - Log book for required procedures
       - Case reports
      3. Attitudes
       - Direct observation by MFM staff

Staff

     1. Professor Ounjai Kor-anantakul, MD
     2. Associate Professor Roengsak Leetanaporn, MD
     3. Associate Professor Thitima Suntharasaj, MD
     4. Associate Professor Chitkasaem Suwanrath, MD, M.Med.Sci. (Obstetric Ultrasound)
     5. Savitree Pranpanus, MD
     6. Assisstant Professor Ninlapa Pruksanusak, MD
     7. Chusana Petpichetchian, MD
     8. Manaphat Suksai, MD
     9. Rawiwan Rattanaprueksachart, B.Sc.(nursing)
     10. Sutiraporn Janwadee, B.Sc. (nursing), M.S.N.

Contact Address

Maternal and Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand 90110
Tel: (66)74-451205, Fax: (66)74-429617
Email: mfmpsu@gmail.com