ABSTRACT
Advances in assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) continue to offer millions of patients, couples, and families around the world the opportunity to parent. As the “art” of ARTs advances, multifaceted changes are seen in the roles, responsibilities, and commitments of each member of the ART treatment team. Clinical programs continue to modify their policies and procedures to meet the needs of the changing culture of medicine, science, and research that surrounds the field of reproductive medicine. The term “in vitro fertilization” (IVF) has become synonymous with hope for those patients seeking the advances in care options to fulfil the dream of parenthood. In the early days of ART, treatment was considered something available only for the privileged or wealthy. Today, with the advent of ART treatment coverage by healthcare insurance, even more patients are able to seek and successfully pursue treatment and realize their goal of becoming parents. Historically, ART was seen as a “laboratory science,” research-oriented and even “experimental.” As time passed, physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, and researchers have developed the requisite skills necessary to remain current in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Additionally, the available technologies have become accepted as standard treatment modalities.
