Patterns of ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome: a study utilising magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: To evaluate and compare MRI-based ovarian morphology in groups of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls.

Methods: All PCOS cases (n = 44) had oligo-amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism irrespective of ovarian morphology, and fulfilled NIH/Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS. All control women (n = 40) had normal menses and normoandrogenaemia.

Emotional boundary work in advanced fertility nursing roles.

In this article we examine the nature of intimacy and knowing in the nurse-patient relationship in the context of advanced nursing roles in fertility care. We suggest that psychoanalytical approaches to emotions may contribute to an increased understanding of how emotions are managed in advanced nursing roles. These roles include nurses undertaking tasks that were formerly performed by doctors.

Nothing out of the ordinary: advanced fertility nursing practice.

This paper discusses data from a case study of fertility nursing practice. An ethnographic case study approach using participant observation and nine semi-structured interviews with staff and patients was undertaken. The data were analysed thematically and these themes are discussed in this paper.

The extended role of the nurse: practical realities.

This article provides an overview of the development of the extended role of fertility nurses. The key factors discussed are the historical development of the nurses' role in the Oxford Fertility Unit at John Radcliffe Hospital and the relevant issues that influence this process and how this is reflected in other units nationally. Each practitioner is accountable for his or her actions and must be aware of the legal implications of practice within the process of role extension.

Fertility nurses doing embryo transfers -- what is the impact of training?

It has been demonstrated that embryo transfer during IVF treatment can be performed competently and successfully by nurses (Barber et al., 1996). The present study has examined the success of nurses in training using the standardized protocol of this Unit.

Use of competencies in training fertility nurses in clinical practice.

In this article, the value of clinical competencies in the role development of fertility nurses is discussed using the example of the Oxford Fertility Programme. Clinical competencies are incorporated into the training programme within the Oxford Fertility Unit to enable new staff to demonstrate their clinical ability and undergo assessment while learning new and expanded skills. New staff are required to explore both the theoretical and practical foundations that underpin clinical practice.