Current Status of the Workforce and Training at Fetal Therapy Centers in North America

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We sought to characterize the current workforce and training for fetal intervention procedures at fetal centers in North America. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An anonymous electronic survey was developed to query the 34 centers in the North American Fetal Treatment Network regarding the demographics and training of their faculty. Telephone surveys were conducted with directors of known fetal intervention fellowships. <b><i>Results:</i></b> More than 50% of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) faculty at fetal centers were female; more than two-thirds of pediatric surgical faculty were male. Most of the training of faculty was undertaken by visiting more experienced centers or having new faculty work with more experienced ones at the same center. Current fetal intervention fellowships appear to achieve levels of competency for intrauterine transfusions and laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Two-thirds of centers stated that they would be able to offer a position to an MFM who completed a formal fellowship in fetal intervention. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A collaborative effort should be undertaken to establish formal fellowships in fetal medicine and intervention.