Challenges of human reproductive medicine in a changing Europe: an innovative professional curriculum for graduate medical education

The project created a standardized reproductive medicine curriculum to address migration, infertility, and aging in Central and Eastern Europe. Through a multilingual e-learning platform and collaboration with universities in Hun, Aut, and Rom, it tackled educational gaps, regional disparities, sociocultural factors, digital learning needs, and healthcare skills gaps, while promoting inclusivity and accessibility for underserved populations, aligning with EU goals for equitable education.

COHRICE aimed to enhance the quality and accessibility of reproductive medicine education by addressing gaps in curricula and skills across Europe. Key objectives included: 1. Developing comprehensive curricula: Creating standardized, high-quality educational materials (2x14 lessons) for graduate students and OB/GYN residents, addressing issues like infertility, advanced maternal age, and assisted reproductive technologies. 2. Promoting digital innovation: Launching a multilingual e-learning platform for interactive, accessible learning, removing geographical and socioeconomic barriers. 3. Integrating medical, legal, and sociocultural dimensions into the curriculum to equip healthcare professionals with diverse patient care skills. 4. Bridging regional disparities: Enhancing access to education in underserved regions, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, to ensure equitable training opportunities. 5. Establishing partnerships among universities in Hungary, Austria, and Romania to share knowledge, best practices, and foster sustainable academic networks. 6. Supporting EU priorities: Promoting high-quality education, inclusive learning practices, and innovative methodologies to align with EU goals for education and inclusion.

The COHRICE project implemented a wide range of activities to achieve its objectives, encompassing curriculum development, digital innovation, and international collaboration: 1. Curriculum development: o Designed a comprehensive, standardized syllabus covering 14 key topics in reproductive medicine for both graduate medical students and OB/GYN residents. o Integrated interdisciplinary themes addressing medical, legal, and sociocultural aspects, such as infertility, preconception care, assisted reproductive technologies, and challenges related to minority ethnic groups. 2. E-Learning platform development: o Established a Moodle-based multilingual e-learning platform featuring course materials, supplementary videos, interactive resources, and forums for collaborative learning. o Developed accessibility features to accommodate users with visual impairments and ensure inclusivity. 3. Pilot teaching: o Conducted pilot sessions at partner institutions in Hungary, Austria, and Romania to test the curriculum and gather feedback for refinement. o Engaged students and educators in structured evaluations to assess the effectiveness and relevance of the materials. 4. Transnational meetings: o Held regular transnational project meetings (both virtual and in-person) to coordinate activities, review progress, and share best practices among partners. 5. Dissemination activities: o Organized multiplier events, conferences, and presentations to share project results with a broader audience. o Produced promotional materials, including teaser videos and a dedicated project website, to enhance visibility and outreach. 6. Monitoring and Evaluation: o Implemented continuous monitoring through feedback surveys, student evaluations, and partner reviews to ensure quality and alignment with project goals. o Assessed user engagement and impact using analytics from the e-learning platform. 7. Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: o Fostered cooperation among the University of Pécs, Medical University of Vienna, and University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology of Târgu Mureș to leverage expertise and resources. o Collaborated with associated partners like the Hungarian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology to enhance the curriculum's relevance and reach. 8. Content Translation and localization: o Translated materials into multiple languages (English, German, Hungarian, Romanian) to broaden accessibility and cater to diverse audiences.

Concrete Outputs and results of the COHRICE project 1. Comprehensive curricula development: o Created standardized educational materials on reproductive medicine, covering 14 key topics relevant to contemporary challenges such as infertility, prenatal genetic screening, preconception care, and the impact of cultural diversity. o Developed advanced learning materials tailored for OB/GYN residents, aligned with EBCOG guidelines and addressing complex issues like assisted reproductive technologies and reproductive health regulations across Europe. 2. E-Learning platform: o Successfully launched a Moodle-based e-learning platform (https://www.cohrice.eu/) with multilingual content available in English, German, Hungarian, and Romanian. o Integrated features such as interactive forums, supplementary videos, case studies, and accessibility tools for visually impaired users, ensuring inclusivity and engagement. 3. Pilot Teaching: o Conducted pilot sessions at partner institutions in Hungary, Austria, and Romania, involving graduate medical students and residents. o Gathered valuable feedback through surveys and evaluations, leading to refinements in teaching materials and methods. 4. Multilingual translation: o Translated educational materials into multiple languages to ensure broader accessibility and usability across diverse cultural and linguistic groups. 5. Supplementary resources: o Developed over 40 videos, case studies, and interviews, providing additional learning support and enhancing the depth of the educational content. 6. Dissemination and Outreach: o Organized multiplier events and dissemination activities across partner countries to share project outcomes with stakeholders, students, and educators. o Produced promotional content, including teaser videos and a dedicated website, to enhance visibility and encourage adoption of the materials. 7. Publication: - extra project result - 1 8. Impact on Medical education: o Integrated the curriculum into partner universities’ medical programs, ensuring its use beyond the project lifecycle. o Approved as a new elective subject at the University of Pécs and other partner institutions. 9. Collaboration and partnerships: o Strengthened international cooperation among project partners and associated organizations, establishing a foundation for future joint initiatives. o Engaged with stakeholders like the Hungarian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology to validate and refine project outputs. 10. Digital and inclusive education: o Promoted open education through a robust digital platform, supporting learning in diverse geographical and socioeconomic settings. o Addressed inclusivity with tools and content tailored for underserved populations, including minority ethnic groups and students with disabilities. 11. Monitoring and evaluation: o Established a comprehensive feedback mechanism using analytics, surveys, and stakeholder input to ensure high-quality outputs and continuous improvement.