Abstract: PD68-06
Sources of Funding: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Grant #365254

Introduction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs most often to young men. Infertility is a major sequela of SCI. Anejaculation and abnormal semen parameters are seen in 90% of the cases. Currently there is no established standard of care for the management of infertility in these men, largely due to a lack of education of healthcare providers at all levels. Consequently, couples with SCI male partners are often over-treated with expensive and unnecessary procedures. A 3 year educational program funded by the Craig Neilsen Foundation has been developed to train practitioners in methods and techniques for managing infertility in this population.

Methods

A teaching curriculum was developed based on our 27 years of experience in the management of infertility in men with SCI. The training is performed at our center or at outside centers if requested and is comprised of the following items:_x000D_ 1) The core of the curriculum is a half day of lectures and videos _x000D_ 2) Two half-days of hands-on training on the techniques of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ) as well as management of autonomic dysreflexia and retrograde ejaculation. This is part of the training curriculum at our site and can be performed at other sites if the users so wish. _x000D_ 3) A syllabus, copy of the PowerPoint presentation and instructional videos will be supplied to trainees which may be used to teach future healthcare providers of all types._x000D_ 4) The program offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits (7.5 hours for the full course) for physicians. _x000D_ 5) Limited travel reimbursement is available for professionals who train at our center in Miami._x000D_

Results

During our first year (December 2015 - December 2016), educational materials (syllabus and comprehensive 30 minute instructional video) were developed. The program was presented at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) 2016 meeting and has been selected as an instructional course for the 2017 annual AUA meeting. A total of 9 physicians from the USA, Canada, Spain, Brazil and Israel have been trained to date at our center. Multiple requests for training have been received and are scheduled for future dates.

Conclusions

This educational program addresses a gap in knowledge among health care professionals on the topic of management of infertility in men with SCI. We encourage interested professionals to take advantage of this training opportunity, which will be available through December 2018.

Funding

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Grant #365254