title: Reducing inter-observer variability in embryo evaluation by means of training courses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the utility of a training session offered to junior embryologists, comparing the results obtained with those reported by a group of senior embryologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 62 junior embryologists participanting were asked to decide on the quality of the embryos and theg clinical decision to be taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The junior embryologists' success rate following the training course was significantly higher than before for embryo classification (48.4% ± 20.4 vs. 59.7% ±16.7) (p < 0.05) and for clinical decision (54.7% ± 19.6 vs. 68.7% ± 17.6) (p < 0.005). Comparison of the degree of agreement between the categories assigned by the junior embryologists and those assigned by consensus among the group of senior embryologists revealed kappa values of k = 0.32 before the course and of k = 0.54 after it. The comparison between pre- and post-training junior and senior embryologists also reflected an improvement in the kappa index for clinical decision, from k = 0.54 to k = 0.68.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training courses are shown to be an effective tool for increasing the degree of agreement between junior and senior embryologists.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Reproducción Humana, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruiz de Assin
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavero
authors.forename: Maria Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gonzalvo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosales
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zamora
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mozas
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castilla
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004626:Embryology / Q000193:education*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation