We focus on the importance and necessity of post-competency-based training in medical education alongside its current challenges and opportunities.Integrating post competency training into standardized educational fra...We focus on the importance and necessity of post-competency-based training in medical education alongside its current challenges and opportunities.Integrating post competency training into standardized educational frameworks is increasingly recognized as a critical component of preparing residents and postgraduates for real-world clinical practice.Post competency training represents a commitment to excellence in medical education,striving to produce competent,skilled practitioners to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.展开更多
Objective:To explore the application effect of remote ultrasound teaching in the standardized training of residents.Methods:42 students who participated in the standardized residency training in the Department of Ultr...Objective:To explore the application effect of remote ultrasound teaching in the standardized training of residents.Methods:42 students who participated in the standardized residency training in the Department of Ultrasonography of our hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were selected and divided into the control group(n=21)and the observation group(n=21)by using the random number table method.The control group was taught routinely,and the observation group was taught with remote ultrasound on the basis of the control group.The general data,teaching effect,ultrasound diagnostic compliance rate,and teaching satisfaction of the participants in the two groups were observed.Results:The baseline data of the two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05);the theoretical and practical assessment scores of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group(t=2.491,t=2.434,P=0.05);the ultrasound diagnostic compliance rate of the participants in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(78.33%)(χ2=33.574,P=0.000<0.001);the overall satisfaction rate of students in the observation group(20/95.24%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(14/66.67%)(χ2=3.860,P=0.049<0.05).Conclusion:In standardized residency training,remote ultrasound teaching can effectively improve the comprehensive ability of students,enhance diagnostic accuracy,and improve students’teaching satisfaction.展开更多
In recent years,the national higher education reform has proposed the concept of curriculum ideological and political education as a major element.This integration into the standardized training of general practice re...In recent years,the national higher education reform has proposed the concept of curriculum ideological and political education as a major element.This integration into the standardized training of general practice residents(commonly referred to as general resident training)is an unavoidable trend in the teaching field.Based on the actual situation of our unit at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University,this paper emphasizes the necessity of incorporating ideological and political education into the general resident training curriculum,despite the absence of pertinent practical experience in how to effectively incorporate such courses into comprehensive residential training.In our hospital,we must assess the ideological and political education in the curriculum of general resident training,proposing a scientific,reasonable ideological and political education concept system for general practice courses,integrating ideological and political education with general practice resident training,and strengthening the team of ideological and political education physicians to teach them to carry out such education,this would foster enthusiasm and initiative.Strengthening admission education and training for general practice resident training,as well as regularly hosting symposiums to share ideas and understand the mission of doctors can provide effective experience for ideological and political education in general resident training courses.展开更多
Objective: To explore the application effect of flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method in clinical skills teaching of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese M...Objective: To explore the application effect of flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method in clinical skills teaching of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods: The study used the experimental control method. The study lasted from September to November 2022. The subjects of this study were 49 students of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine from grades 2020, 2021 and 2022 of Dazhou integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital. They were randomly divided into experiment group (25) and control group (24). The experiment group adopted flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method, and the control group adopted traditional teaching method. The teaching content was 4 basic clinical skill projects, including four diagnoses of traditional Chinese Medicine, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dressing change procedure, acupuncture and massage. The evaluation method was carried out by comparing the students’ performance and a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the students’ evaluation of the teaching method. Results: The test scores of total scores in the experimental group (90.12 ± 5.89) were all higher than those in the control group (81.47 ± 7.96) (t = 4.53, P P Conclusions: The teaching process of the flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method is conducive to improving the efficiency of classroom teaching, cultivating students’ self-learning ability, and enhancing students’ willingness to learn.展开更多
Objective:To explore the effect of fragmented case teaching in the standardized training of residents in anesthesiology department.Methods:80 doctors who participated in the standardized training of residents in anest...Objective:To explore the effect of fragmented case teaching in the standardized training of residents in anesthesiology department.Methods:80 doctors who participated in the standardized training of residents in anesthesiology department from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the research objects,and the 80 doctors were divided into experimental groups according to the clinical teaching mode(n=40,implemented case fragmented teaching method)and the control group(n=40,traditional teaching method).The training lasted for 2 months,and the medical history collection,medical record analysis,practical operation ability,theoretical assessment results,and the degree of satisfaction towards the training of the two groups of doctors were compared.Results:After 2 months of training,the theoretical knowledge and operational ability of the doctors in the two groups have improved to a certain extent,but the medical history collection,medical record analysis,practical operation ability,theoretical assessment results and satisfaction of the doctors in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The effect of the fragmented case teaching method in the standardized training of anesthesiology residents is significantly better than the traditional teaching mode.The abilities of doctors have significantly improved after the training.Hence,the fragmented case teaching method is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.展开更多
Objective:To explore and analyze the application effect of participatory teaching method in the standardized training of respiratory medicine residents.Methods:The study period was from May 2022 to May 2023.20 doctors...Objective:To explore and analyze the application effect of participatory teaching method in the standardized training of respiratory medicine residents.Methods:The study period was from May 2022 to May 2023.20 doctors in the standardized training of respiratory medicine residency in our hospital were taken as research subjects and grouped into the participatory group(n=10)and the routine group(n=10)by using the random number lottery method.The participatory group practised participatory teaching methods,and the routine group practised routine teaching methods.The results of discharge assessment,teaching evaluation,and mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise(mini-CEX)assessment were compared between the groups.Results:The theoretical assessment,operational assessment,and total scores of the participatory group were significantly higher than those of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The teaching evaluation of independent learning,theoretical mastery,teamwork,clinical thinking,communication,and learning interest of the participatory group was significantly higher than that of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The mini-CEX assessments of history inquiry,organizational effectiveness,professionalism,physical examination,clinical diagnosis,communication skills,and overall clinical competence of the participatory group were significantly better than those of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The teaching satisfaction of the participatory group was significantly higher than that of the routine group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Participatory teaching methods can improve the overall level of doctors in the respiratory medicine residency standardized training,and the teaching satisfaction is improved.展开更多
Medical graduates are not fully trained physicians when they leave medical school.Currently,standardized training for resident doctors in most hospitals in China is carried out according to the Ministry of Health guid...Medical graduates are not fully trained physicians when they leave medical school.Currently,standardized training for resident doctors in most hospitals in China is carried out according to the Ministry of Health guidelines.However,these guidelines provide only outline guidance,and specific resident training is managed independently by and varies with individual institutions.Therefore,it is important to study training demand to learn about the content and emphasis of training.展开更多
We have made a summary for Chongqing Standardized Nurse Training Class at several aspects, including the basic information of trainees, the configuration of teachers, the setting of courses, and the effect analysis. M...We have made a summary for Chongqing Standardized Nurse Training Class at several aspects, including the basic information of trainees, the configuration of teachers, the setting of courses, and the effect analysis. Meanwhile, some improvement measures are proposed according to the comments and suggestions. This study provides a reliable basis for cultivating the management cadres of standardized nurse training.展开更多
In recent years,there are increasingly more standardized trainings for doctors based on the standardized training outline that is suitable for different grades.Hierarchical training has gradually formed a relatively s...In recent years,there are increasingly more standardized trainings for doctors based on the standardized training outline that is suitable for different grades.Hierarchical training has gradually formed a relatively sound training mode.In reflecting students’learning effect,there is a need for an ideal quality feedback system in the standardized practical skills training for clinical pathology residents.This feedback system can help students achieve the training objectives through understanding and grasping the learning content.展开更多
As an important part of postgraduate education,Standard Resident Training(STR)plays a crucial role in the process of culturing a competent dental care provider who can independently treat the common oral infectious di...As an important part of postgraduate education,Standard Resident Training(STR)plays a crucial role in the process of culturing a competent dental care provider who can independently treat the common oral infectious diseases.A systematic and comprehensive evaluation system is desiderating for realization of high-quality Endodontics resident training due to its discipline characteristics of highly specialized and strict operation.This paper analyzes the current status of resident training in our Endodontic Department and discusses how to improve the clinical skills and reasoning ability of residents,in order to construct a comprehensive resident training formative evaluation system in China.展开更多
A training and seminar on service standardization was held in Weifang city,eastern China＇s Shandong province,attracting150 representatives from nationwide quality inspection departments from November 27 to 30,2017.
On August 14th,2007 the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the PRC organized "APEC (The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Standards and Accre... On August 14th,2007 the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the PRC organized "APEC (The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Standards and Accreditation Training Class" in Beijing.……展开更多
Because of the massive expansion in enrollment, the number of graduates from law schools across the country is unprecedented, but the rate of unemployment is also unprecedented in comparison with the graduation. In st...Because of the massive expansion in enrollment, the number of graduates from law schools across the country is unprecedented, but the rate of unemployment is also unprecedented in comparison with the graduation. In stark contrast, many employees are finding it difficult to find graduates of talent fitting directly to working requirements. The traditional mode of education is to cultivate students with legal research abilities, but the main social need calls for graduates who are prepared to practice, which has caused the low employment. As a result, the graduates＇ failure to meet the social demand caused serious imbalance between supply and demand. The characteristic of legal practice skills is to solve practical problems through the practice of adapting legal knowledge, but practical skill training in law school education now is basically nonexistent. The training of legal practice skills must be conducted through aspects of course design, and therefore teaching methods necessitate comprehensive reformation. The practice skills of the legal profession, such as basic literacy, basic skills, and work skills, are indispensable to the education of students. Educating them to attain these skills will aid them directly in practical work after graduation, improve their work quality and employment rate, and consequently improve the whole overall quality of the legal profession.展开更多
Dynamic responses of a carriage under excitation with the German high-speed low-interference track spectrum together with the air pressure pulse generated as high-speed trains passing each other are investigated with ...Dynamic responses of a carriage under excitation with the German high-speed low-interference track spectrum together with the air pressure pulse generated as high-speed trains passing each other are investigated with a multi-body dynamics method.The variations of degrees of freedom（DOFs：horizontal movement,roll angle,and yaw angle）,the lateral wheel-rail force,the derailment coefficient and the rate of wheel load reduction with time when two carriages meet in open air are obtained and compared with the results of a single train travelling at specifie speeds.Results show that the rate of wheel load reduction increases with the increase of train speed and meets some safety standard at a certain speed,but exceeding the value of the rate of wheel load reduction does not necessarily mean derailment.The evaluation standard of the rate of wheel load reduction is somewhat conservative and may be loosened.The pressure pulse has significan effects on the train DOFs,and the evaluations of these safety indexes are strongly suggested in practice.The pressure pulse has a limited effect on the derailment coefficien and the lateral wheel-rail force,and,thus,their further evaluations may be not necessary.展开更多
Training qualified ophthalmic professional is crucial for any eye care system worldwide.Education of modern western Ophthalmology in China started late but develops rapidly.This review focused on ophthalmic education ...Training qualified ophthalmic professional is crucial for any eye care system worldwide.Education of modern western Ophthalmology in China started late but develops rapidly.This review focused on ophthalmic education in China and US,describing details of the programs and analyzing the differences.This summary may provide useful information for practitioners of medical education from both countries and help improve the present training designs.展开更多
Semen analysis is characterized by high levels of intra-and inter-laboratory variability,due to a low level of standardization,high subjectivity of the assessments,and problems with automated procedures.To improve con...Semen analysis is characterized by high levels of intra-and inter-laboratory variability,due to a low level of standardization,high subjectivity of the assessments,and problems with automated procedures.To improve consistency of laboratory results,quality control and training of technicians are important requisites.The goals of this study are to evaluate the results of an external quality control(EQC)program and standardized training by ESHRE Basic Semen Analysis Courses(BSAC)on the variability in manual assessments of semen parameters.We performed retrospective analyses of(1)the interlaboratory variability in the Dutch EQC program and(2)the interobserver variability in BSACs for concentration,motility,and morphology assessments.EQC data showed that the interlaboratory coefficient of variation(CV)for concentration assessment decreased(range from 24.0%–97.5%to 12.7%–20.9%)but not for morphology and motility assessments.Concentration variability was lower if improved Neubauer hemocytometers were used.Morphology assessment showed highest CVs(up to 375.0%),with many outliers in the period of 2007–2014.During BSAC,a significant reduction of interobserver variability could be established for all parameters(P<0.05).The absence of an effect in the EQC program for motility and morphology might be explained by respectively the facts that motility assessment was introduced relatively late in the EQC program(since 2013)and that criteria for morphology assessment changed in time.BSAC results might have been influenced by the pretraining level of participants and the influence of external factors.Both EQC and training show positive effects on reducing variability.Increased willingness by laboratories to change their methods toward standards may lead to further improvements.展开更多
基金Supported by Education and Teaching Reform Project of the First Clinical College of Chongqing Medical University,No.CMER202305Program for Youth Innovation in Future Medicine,Chongqing Medical University,No.W0138.
文摘We focus on the importance and necessity of post-competency-based training in medical education alongside its current challenges and opportunities.Integrating post competency training into standardized educational frameworks is increasingly recognized as a critical component of preparing residents and postgraduates for real-world clinical practice.Post competency training represents a commitment to excellence in medical education,striving to produce competent,skilled practitioners to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.
基金Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences Graduate Education Reform Research and Curriculum Construction Project(Project number:040012023B059)。
文摘Objective:To explore the application effect of remote ultrasound teaching in the standardized training of residents.Methods:42 students who participated in the standardized residency training in the Department of Ultrasonography of our hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were selected and divided into the control group(n=21)and the observation group(n=21)by using the random number table method.The control group was taught routinely,and the observation group was taught with remote ultrasound on the basis of the control group.The general data,teaching effect,ultrasound diagnostic compliance rate,and teaching satisfaction of the participants in the two groups were observed.Results:The baseline data of the two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05);the theoretical and practical assessment scores of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group(t=2.491,t=2.434,P=0.05);the ultrasound diagnostic compliance rate of the participants in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(78.33%)(χ2=33.574,P=0.000<0.001);the overall satisfaction rate of students in the observation group(20/95.24%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(14/66.67%)(χ2=3.860,P=0.049<0.05).Conclusion:In standardized residency training,remote ultrasound teaching can effectively improve the comprehensive ability of students,enhance diagnostic accuracy,and improve students’teaching satisfaction.
文摘In recent years,the national higher education reform has proposed the concept of curriculum ideological and political education as a major element.This integration into the standardized training of general practice residents(commonly referred to as general resident training)is an unavoidable trend in the teaching field.Based on the actual situation of our unit at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University,this paper emphasizes the necessity of incorporating ideological and political education into the general resident training curriculum,despite the absence of pertinent practical experience in how to effectively incorporate such courses into comprehensive residential training.In our hospital,we must assess the ideological and political education in the curriculum of general resident training,proposing a scientific,reasonable ideological and political education concept system for general practice courses,integrating ideological and political education with general practice resident training,and strengthening the team of ideological and political education physicians to teach them to carry out such education,this would foster enthusiasm and initiative.Strengthening admission education and training for general practice resident training,as well as regularly hosting symposiums to share ideas and understand the mission of doctors can provide effective experience for ideological and political education in general resident training courses.
文摘Objective: To explore the application effect of flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method in clinical skills teaching of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods: The study used the experimental control method. The study lasted from September to November 2022. The subjects of this study were 49 students of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine from grades 2020, 2021 and 2022 of Dazhou integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital. They were randomly divided into experiment group (25) and control group (24). The experiment group adopted flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method, and the control group adopted traditional teaching method. The teaching content was 4 basic clinical skill projects, including four diagnoses of traditional Chinese Medicine, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dressing change procedure, acupuncture and massage. The evaluation method was carried out by comparing the students’ performance and a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the students’ evaluation of the teaching method. Results: The test scores of total scores in the experimental group (90.12 ± 5.89) were all higher than those in the control group (81.47 ± 7.96) (t = 4.53, P P Conclusions: The teaching process of the flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method is conducive to improving the efficiency of classroom teaching, cultivating students’ self-learning ability, and enhancing students’ willingness to learn.
文摘Objective:To explore the effect of fragmented case teaching in the standardized training of residents in anesthesiology department.Methods:80 doctors who participated in the standardized training of residents in anesthesiology department from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the research objects,and the 80 doctors were divided into experimental groups according to the clinical teaching mode(n=40,implemented case fragmented teaching method)and the control group(n=40,traditional teaching method).The training lasted for 2 months,and the medical history collection,medical record analysis,practical operation ability,theoretical assessment results,and the degree of satisfaction towards the training of the two groups of doctors were compared.Results:After 2 months of training,the theoretical knowledge and operational ability of the doctors in the two groups have improved to a certain extent,but the medical history collection,medical record analysis,practical operation ability,theoretical assessment results and satisfaction of the doctors in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The effect of the fragmented case teaching method in the standardized training of anesthesiology residents is significantly better than the traditional teaching mode.The abilities of doctors have significantly improved after the training.Hence,the fragmented case teaching method is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.
文摘Objective:To explore and analyze the application effect of participatory teaching method in the standardized training of respiratory medicine residents.Methods:The study period was from May 2022 to May 2023.20 doctors in the standardized training of respiratory medicine residency in our hospital were taken as research subjects and grouped into the participatory group(n=10)and the routine group(n=10)by using the random number lottery method.The participatory group practised participatory teaching methods,and the routine group practised routine teaching methods.The results of discharge assessment,teaching evaluation,and mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise(mini-CEX)assessment were compared between the groups.Results:The theoretical assessment,operational assessment,and total scores of the participatory group were significantly higher than those of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The teaching evaluation of independent learning,theoretical mastery,teamwork,clinical thinking,communication,and learning interest of the participatory group was significantly higher than that of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The mini-CEX assessments of history inquiry,organizational effectiveness,professionalism,physical examination,clinical diagnosis,communication skills,and overall clinical competence of the participatory group were significantly better than those of the routine group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The teaching satisfaction of the participatory group was significantly higher than that of the routine group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Participatory teaching methods can improve the overall level of doctors in the respiratory medicine residency standardized training,and the teaching satisfaction is improved.
基金supported by the Qingdao City Public Science and Technology Support Program of Soft Science Research Project(11-2-3-75-(50)-zhc)
文摘Medical graduates are not fully trained physicians when they leave medical school.Currently,standardized training for resident doctors in most hospitals in China is carried out according to the Ministry of Health guidelines.However,these guidelines provide only outline guidance,and specific resident training is managed independently by and varies with individual institutions.Therefore,it is important to study training demand to learn about the content and emphasis of training.
文摘We have made a summary for Chongqing Standardized Nurse Training Class at several aspects, including the basic information of trainees, the configuration of teachers, the setting of courses, and the effect analysis. Meanwhile, some improvement measures are proposed according to the comments and suggestions. This study provides a reliable basis for cultivating the management cadres of standardized nurse training.
文摘In recent years,there are increasingly more standardized trainings for doctors based on the standardized training outline that is suitable for different grades.Hierarchical training has gradually formed a relatively sound training mode.In reflecting students’learning effect,there is a need for an ideal quality feedback system in the standardized practical skills training for clinical pathology residents.This feedback system can help students achieve the training objectives through understanding and grasping the learning content.
基金supported by Teaching Reform Project of Stomatology College of Chongqing Medical University(No.KQJ201813).
文摘As an important part of postgraduate education,Standard Resident Training(STR)plays a crucial role in the process of culturing a competent dental care provider who can independently treat the common oral infectious diseases.A systematic and comprehensive evaluation system is desiderating for realization of high-quality Endodontics resident training due to its discipline characteristics of highly specialized and strict operation.This paper analyzes the current status of resident training in our Endodontic Department and discusses how to improve the clinical skills and reasoning ability of residents,in order to construct a comprehensive resident training formative evaluation system in China.
文摘A training and seminar on service standardization was held in Weifang city,eastern China＇s Shandong province,attracting150 representatives from nationwide quality inspection departments from November 27 to 30,2017.
文摘 On August 14th,2007 the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the PRC organized "APEC (The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Standards and Accreditation Training Class" in Beijing.……
文摘Because of the massive expansion in enrollment, the number of graduates from law schools across the country is unprecedented, but the rate of unemployment is also unprecedented in comparison with the graduation. In stark contrast, many employees are finding it difficult to find graduates of talent fitting directly to working requirements. The traditional mode of education is to cultivate students with legal research abilities, but the main social need calls for graduates who are prepared to practice, which has caused the low employment. As a result, the graduates＇ failure to meet the social demand caused serious imbalance between supply and demand. The characteristic of legal practice skills is to solve practical problems through the practice of adapting legal knowledge, but practical skill training in law school education now is basically nonexistent. The training of legal practice skills must be conducted through aspects of course design, and therefore teaching methods necessitate comprehensive reformation. The practice skills of the legal profession, such as basic literacy, basic skills, and work skills, are indispensable to the education of students. Educating them to attain these skills will aid them directly in practical work after graduation, improve their work quality and employment rate, and consequently improve the whole overall quality of the legal profession.
基金the National Basic Research Program of China (973 program,Grant 2011CB711100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No.11372307)the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant KJCX2-EW-L03)
文摘Dynamic responses of a carriage under excitation with the German high-speed low-interference track spectrum together with the air pressure pulse generated as high-speed trains passing each other are investigated with a multi-body dynamics method.The variations of degrees of freedom（DOFs：horizontal movement,roll angle,and yaw angle）,the lateral wheel-rail force,the derailment coefficient and the rate of wheel load reduction with time when two carriages meet in open air are obtained and compared with the results of a single train travelling at specifie speeds.Results show that the rate of wheel load reduction increases with the increase of train speed and meets some safety standard at a certain speed,but exceeding the value of the rate of wheel load reduction does not necessarily mean derailment.The evaluation standard of the rate of wheel load reduction is somewhat conservative and may be loosened.The pressure pulse has significan effects on the train DOFs,and the evaluations of these safety indexes are strongly suggested in practice.The pressure pulse has a limited effect on the derailment coefficien and the lateral wheel-rail force,and,thus,their further evaluations may be not necessary.
文摘Training qualified ophthalmic professional is crucial for any eye care system worldwide.Education of modern western Ophthalmology in China started late but develops rapidly.This review focused on ophthalmic education in China and US,describing details of the programs and analyzing the differences.This summary may provide useful information for practitioners of medical education from both countries and help improve the present training designs.
基金This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Dutch Foundation for Quality Assessment in Medical Laboratories(SKML),Nijmegen,the NetherlandsSKML is a nonprofit organization for external quality control for medical laboratories.
文摘Semen analysis is characterized by high levels of intra-and inter-laboratory variability,due to a low level of standardization,high subjectivity of the assessments,and problems with automated procedures.To improve consistency of laboratory results,quality control and training of technicians are important requisites.The goals of this study are to evaluate the results of an external quality control(EQC)program and standardized training by ESHRE Basic Semen Analysis Courses(BSAC)on the variability in manual assessments of semen parameters.We performed retrospective analyses of(1)the interlaboratory variability in the Dutch EQC program and(2)the interobserver variability in BSACs for concentration,motility,and morphology assessments.EQC data showed that the interlaboratory coefficient of variation(CV)for concentration assessment decreased(range from 24.0%–97.5%to 12.7%–20.9%)but not for morphology and motility assessments.Concentration variability was lower if improved Neubauer hemocytometers were used.Morphology assessment showed highest CVs(up to 375.0%),with many outliers in the period of 2007–2014.During BSAC,a significant reduction of interobserver variability could be established for all parameters(P<0.05).The absence of an effect in the EQC program for motility and morphology might be explained by respectively the facts that motility assessment was introduced relatively late in the EQC program(since 2013)and that criteria for morphology assessment changed in time.BSAC results might have been influenced by the pretraining level of participants and the influence of external factors.Both EQC and training show positive effects on reducing variability.Increased willingness by laboratories to change their methods toward standards may lead to further improvements.
