OBGYN IVF Education: The Future of Reproductive Healthcare

IVF education for OB-GYNs is emerging as a vital solution to meet rising fertility care needs. With IVF cycles increasing and Reproductive Endocrinologists (REIs) in short supply, training institutions like IVF Academy USA equip OB-GYNs to perform core procedures under REI leadership, improving access and efficiency without lowering standards for fertiity care.

IVF cycles now account for 2.6% of U.S. births, yet millions still lack timely fertility care.
With only 55 new REIs entering the job market every year, REI shortages mean fellowship programs alone cannot meet demand for fertility care.
Advanced OBGYN IVF training prepares physicians and APPs with didactics, simulated procedural practice, and supervised procedures under the guidance of an REI.
Data shows trained OB-GYNs achieve non-inferior outcomes to REI fellowship training in egg retrievals and embryo transfers.
IVF Academy’s model improves patient flow, reduces wait times, and supports REIs in focusing on complex cases and research.

OBGYN IVF training is becoming essential for the future of reproductive care. According to the most current data, the need has never been clearer. In 2023, American clinics reported more than 432,000 IVF cycles, leading to nearly 96,000 births. That reflects 2.6% of all births in the country.

At the same time, millions of women across the nation (and the world) still face barriers to fertility services. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is calling for stronger workforce development to meet this demand. However, increasing the number of REIs alone may not be enough. At present, REI fellowship programs simply cannot produce enough REIs to keep up with the need for qualified fertility care practitioners.

One solution is advanced OBGYN education. Ideally, such education will allow general OB-GYNs to perform key procedures within an REI-led team. Continue reading to learn how these programs have the potential to expand global access to IVF.

Why OB-GYNs are Critical for the Future of Fertility Care

At present, OB-GYNs, despite being highly qualified healthcare practitioners, cannot perform IVF services. Instead, they refer patients facing fertility challenges to REIs. Because of the limited number of REIs working in the field, with only 1250 in active practice, patients may face long waitlists or need to travel long distances to receive care.

Dr. Paul Magarelli, a double board-certified REI and the founder of the IVF Academy, posits that patients benefit most when OBGYN and infertility services are connected. Magarelli believes the future lies in REI-led teams, with trained OB-GYNs performing routine, high-volume procedures.

This approach keeps REIs focused on complex cases and innovation while giving more patients timely access to care.

How Advanced OB-GYN IVF Training Works

At IVF Academy, Magarelli’s Clinical School trainees complete about 60 hours of live didactical instruction and participate in 100 to 120 hours of guided study in the Clinical Fertility Physician/APP course. This is followed by two weeks of simulator procedural training and six months of supervised procedures at their home institution under the guidance of their in-house REI.

Likewise, graduates must complete at least 50 simulated egg retrievals and egg transfers; 25 simulated IUIs and diagnostic hysteroscopies during simulator training. Under mentorship from their in-house REI, graduates must also complete hands-on procedural training that includes 25 successful egg retrievals, 25 successful egg transfers, 10 successful IUIs, 10 successful hysteroscopies, with complication rates equal or lower to onsite REIs. They are expected to log cases and pass assessments with superior metricsto demonstrate their competence.

Although the program is the first of its kind, the results are encouraging so far. In one program, adding a trained proceduralist such as a Clinical Fertility Physician improved patient flow, resulting in 18% more new patient visits and 9% more procedures.

In fact, data shows that Clinical Fertility Physician performance in egg retrievals and embryo transfers is non-inferior to REI benchmarks. Simulator procedural training also shows improvement in embryo transfer technique, with fewer fundal touches and better placement.

The IVF Academy Advantage

For OB-GYNs considering additional training, IVF Academy offers many distinct advantages:

Aligned with REI leadership: Training expands capacity while maintaining REI oversight and leadership.
Validated with simulators: Advanced virtual tools measure skills in egg retrieval and embryo transfer, ensuring readiness before live cases.
Proven efficiency gains: Data show measurable improvements in patient flow and procedure volume without compromising outcomes.
CME-backed structure: University-affiliated coursework provides continuing medical education credits and recognition.

For physicians on the OBGYN education path, advanced IVF training creates opportunities to grow professionally as a fertility OBGYN or OBGYN fertility specialist. For health systems, incorporating Clinical Fertility Physicians and OB-GYNs eases REI workloads and improves efficiency, aligning with ASRM’s workforce goals.

For patients, this means expanded access to high-quality fertility care.

The Future of OB-GYN IVF Education

The future of OBGYN IVF education is evidence-based and competency-driven. Most importantly, it is designed to work seamlessly within an REI-led model. With advanced training, OB-GYNs can expand their role in fertility care while maintaining rigorous standards. Meanwhile, REIs can focus on leadership and research, advancing the field for patients.

If you’re an OB-GYN, you may be a candidate for IVF training at IVF Academy. Learn more about our clinical courses and how you can expand access to care.