title: How soon can I be proficient in embryo transfer? Lessons from the cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Embryo transfer, a crucial step for achieving pregnancy after in vitro fertilization, is an operator-dependent technique but the number of procedures required for a trainee to reach proficiency is unknown. We set out to evaluate the learning curve (LC) of embryo transfer using a specifically designed statistical tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first embryo transfers performed by five trainees were monitored by the cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM), a statistical tool designed to indicate when a process has reached a predefined level of performance. The main outcome measure was a positive hCG test. A 40% pregnancy rate (PR) per transfer was chosen to define adequate performance and a PR of 20% was considered inadequate. After the learning phase, standard CUSUM were implemented to ensure that performance was maintained. The same CUSUM parameters were also applied to monitor 241 consecutive embryo transfers performed by a senior gynaecologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 11 and 99 embryo transfers were necessary for the trainees to reach the predefined level of performance. Simple and intuitive graphical representations of the LCs were generated. CUSUM tests confirmed that performance was maintained after the learning phase. The PR of the senior gynaecologist was 42.7% and the CUSUM showed that performance remained adequate throughout the 241 procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an exportable model for a quantitative monitoring of the LC of embryo transfer as well as a reference curve for continuous monitoring of performance in embryo transfer. The length of the LC of embryo transfer is highly variable, justifying a tailored training to learn this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Service de Biologie et Médecine de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, 38, Bd Jean Monnet, Nantes Cedex 1 44093, France. lionel.dessolle@tnn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dessolle
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fréour
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrière
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jean
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ravel
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daraï
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Biau
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods