Empowering nurses and midwives: the evidence-base for the Nurses and Midwives Certification Programme of ESHRE†

How were the logbook and curriculum for the Nurses and Midwives Certification Programme of ESHRE developed?

The logbook and corresponding curriculum for the ESHRE Nurses and Midwives Certification Programme were based on an extensive literature review, an international expert panel, and a survey of Belgian and Dutch nurses and midwives (N&M) working in reproductive medicine (RM).

ESHRE has been running a certification programme for N&M working in RM since 2015. To the best of our knowledge, clinical practice guidelines for nursing/midwifery care within RM are lacking as is consensus on role descriptors of N&M working in RM.

The Nurses and Midwives Certification Committee (NMCC), established by the ESHRE Executive Committee in 2012, decided to gather background information by: (i) systematically reviewing the literature on the tasks of N&M working in RM, (ii) consulting and surveying an expert panel of international senior N&M, and (iii) surveying Belgian and Dutch N&M working in RM across different clinics. Finally, the NMCC developed a logbook and curriculum fostering a more expanded theoretic background.

The NMCC comprised four N&M, one clinical embryologist, and one gynaecologist (both in an advisory capacity). The Medline database was searched for papers relating to the tasks of N&M working in RM, by entering a search string in PubMed. In an attempt to capture insight into the tasks and roles of N&M working in RM, the NMCC subsequently surveyed N&M experts across nine countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UK), and 48 Belgian and Dutch N&M working in RM.

There were 36 papers on the tasks of N&M working in RM originating from 13 countries (in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America), identified. Initially, 43 tasks in which N&M working in RM participated, were identified by literature only (n = 5), the international expert panel only (n = 4), Belgian and Dutch N&M working in RM only (n = 5), or a combination of two (n = 13) or three (n = 16) of these sources. The number and composition of tasks included in the logbook were adapted yearly based on novel insights by the NMCC. In response to the annual review, the extended role of N&M working in RM is now reflected in the 2024 version by 73 tasks. Seven specialist tasks (i.e. embryo transfer) were performed independently by N&M working in RM in some countries, while in other countries N&M merely had an 'assisting' role. Candidates are also expected to submit a mature ethical reflection on one clinical case. To support applicants throughout the certification process, the NMCC developed a curriculum in line with all tasks of N&M working in RM.

The literature review was not completed prior to consulting the international expert panel or surveying the Belgian and Dutch N&M working in RM.

The differences in tasks and roles of N&M working in RM across and within countries, clinics and individuals illustrated by the literature review, the international expert panel, and the surveyed Belgian and Dutch N&M working in RM suggest an opportunity for structured professional development. Further research is required to elicit the post-certification experience of N&M working in RM and its impact on their professional development.

The expert panel meeting was funded by ESHRE and the literature review and surveys were supported by Leuven University (Belgium) and the postdoctoral fellowship of the Research Foundation Flanders of E.A.F.D. H.K. received consulting fees and honoraria from Gedeon Richter, Finox and MEDEA, and travel support from Gedeon Richter and Finox. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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