The value of the modern embryologist to a successful IVF system: Revisiting an age-old question

Abstract

BackgroundThe embryology laboratory remains the major factor influencing the overall performance of the IVF clinic. Clinical embryology, however, has undergone a significant change and development over the last decade. The changes and development have been science and technology-driven, in both practice and education.Main bodyThe changes in clinical embryology practice have created a significant challenge for both the profession and the embryologist. Often under-valued in the eyes of the clinic’s leadership, IVF clinic leaders must understand that embryologists have a significant impact on clinical outcomes and patient retention. They also enable many services that are significant revenue generators and may add prestige to the clinic. This framework will serve as the flagship document to extract value from the embryologist role as an intellectual intangible asset for the clinic.ConclusionTo fully leverage a modern embryologist's skill set, significant investment is required from the IVF clinics’ leadership that is, however, associated with a substantial return on the investment. From their side, embryologists should be prepared for further developments and innovations and adapt themselves to survive practicing clinical embryology. The profession needs also to prepare itself for the future to properly train high-caliber embryologists.

Future challenges for clinical embryologists

“…The development of early techniques in assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as sperm preparation for intrauterine insemination, was quite simple. However, the widespread introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and thereafter in more recent years further sophisticated and invasive techniques, such as the vitrification of gametes or embryos and embryo biopsy for genetic testing, presented additional challenges in the daily routine of an IVF laboratory (Choucair et al, 2021). Surprisingly, even today embryology training programs are often not officially certified, and in quite a few countries a certificate of competence is not required to practice as an embryologist.…”