Teachers Training Course (23)

(A):  Course Outline (subject to alteration)

(B):  Terms and Conditions to sit the Course Examinations 

 

(A): Outline of the NFPTAI Course to train Teachers of Natural Family Planning

The NFPTAI Course in Fertility Awareness leading to a Certificate to teach Natural Family Planning - symptothermal multiple index /double-check method, is held over 5 week-ends, Part 2 exam is on the 6th week-end. Classes each week-end are held on Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 – 17.00 hours. (8.45am on the First day of the Course for Registration purposes).

The aim of the Course is to provide the participants with a clear understanding of the scientific basis and the practical applications of natural family planning and fertility awareness. Fertility Awareness is of great benefit for couples who are trying to conceive as well as for those who wish to avoid a pregnancy.

Course Format

The Course is in two parts, and lectures are conducted over 5 week-ends, usually in the three month interval from September to November.

  • The Part 1 Examination is held on the Sunday of the 3rd weekend.  
  • The Part 2 Examination is held usually held in the following April. 

 The Course is divided into two parts:

Part 1 of the Course is on the first three week-ends, and covers normal anatomy and physiology in the male and female and charting in normal circumstances.

Part 1 Examination is held on the Sunday of the 3rd week-end.

Part 2 of the Course is held on the 4th and 5th week-ends and covers the special circumstances of post-partum, post- pill and pre-menopause.

Part 2 Examination is held about five months after the 5th week-end.

Course Schedule: Part 1

Week – end 1 : Saturday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm

  • Introduction to the Teachers’ Training Course Manual
  • History and Ideology of Natural Family Planning
  • Scientific basis of Fertility
  • Fertility Indicators and Methodology of NFP
  • Revision of Scientific Basis. Introduction to charting
  • Introduction to Charting; Fertility Indicators and Charting Exercises
  • Progress Monitors (homework to be done)

Week – end 1 : Sunday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Chart interpretation exercises continued
  • Chart interpretation continued
  • All methods of Family Planning
  • Correction of Progress Monitors; homework given

 Week – end 2 : Saturday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Introduction to Unusual Charts
  • Interpretation of Unusual Charts .
  • Finish Unusual Charts
  • Premenstrual Syndrome and use of diet in adverse circumstances.
  • Vaginal discharges and related conditions
  • Progress monitors

Week – end 2 : Sunday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Teaching and learning Natural Family Planning
  • Management of client’s first three cycles
  • Psychology of fertility control
  • Group discussions / Role play
  • Progress monitors corrections and homework

Week -end 3 : Saturday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • interpretation of charts in groups of 4
  • Correction of Progress Monitors;
  • Applications of Rules in N.F.P. : interpretation of charts in groups of 4
  • Charting exercises

Week – end 3 : Sunday : 9.30am – 11.00pm

Revision of theory of NFP Revision of Chart interpretation;

Part 1 Exam (Week – end 3 : Sunday)

Part 1 Exam on the Theory of NFP and on Chart Interpretation in Normal Circumstances is held on the Sunday of the 3rd week-end. It consists of :

Paper 1: multiple choice examination paper (written 1.5 hours) on the Theory of NFP from 11.30pm – 1.00pm

Paper 2: is a book of 8 charts to be interpreted : written (2 hours) from 2.00pm – 4.00pm

End of Part 1

———————————

 Course Schedule: Part 2

Part 2 : Covers the Special Circumstances of post-partum, post-pill, pre-menopause.

Week – end 4 : Saturday 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Review of the Part 1 exam. Preparation for Part 2 Exam
  • Subfertility
  • LAM (Lactational Amenorrea) and Post Partum
  • Charting during the post – partum period
  • Post Partum continued
  • Pre-menopause

Week – end 4 : Sunday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Pre-menopause
  • Charting during pre-menopause
  • pre-menopause continued
  • Returning Fertility in the Post Pill period
  • Charting during the post Pill period
  • New Technology (ovulation monitors)
  • Preparation for Part 2 Exam

Week-end 5 : Saturday : 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Puberty; Achieving pregnancy
  • Revision of rules and charts in the special circumstances of post-partum
  • Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Techniques
  • Natural Methods of Treating Infertility

Week-end 5 : Sunday: 9.30am – 5.00pm

  • Pre-menopause: (symptoms, STRAW Report ovarian reserve, irregular uterine bleeding, hormone changes)
  • Revision of rules and charts in special circumstances of pre-menopause; Progress Monitors
  • Revision of rules and charts in special circumstances of post-pill; Progress Monitors
  • Preparation for Part 2 Exam

Part 2 Exam

The Part 2 Examination is held about five months after the 5th week-end. During these five months the trainee NFP teacher has to teach three clients for three cycles how to chart their cycle in normal circumstances, and the trainee has to discuss these charts at the Part 2 Examination.

The Part 2 Examination consists of an oral examination in which the candidate (or a teaching couple) is examined by two examiners on the following :

1)The candidate discusses the charts of 3 clients whom she (or they if a teaching couple) has taught over 3 cycles.

2) A book of special circumstances’ charts distributed at the final week-end is interpreted and annotated at home by the candidate and is discussed with the examiners.

3) The candidate has to show and discuss the book of teaching materials she / (they, if a teaching couple) has/have put together as their own aids to teaching. This book should set out her teaching plan for each visit of her client, and include information which should answer any expected queries from her client.

 —————————————————

(B):  Terms and Conditions to sit the Course Examinations 

Teaching Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a hugely responsible role – the consequence of a teaching error may result in an unplanned pregnancy. It is therefore very important to maintain the highest standards of knowledge when teaching NFP. The ‘Training Board’ of the NFPTAI has a responsibility to future clients to ensure that NFP teachers are appropriately qualified and have passed the necessary examinations.

Course Participants:

The Course is directed towards those who are interested in teaching and promoting fertility awareness and natural family planning, including doctors, nurses, clergy and any other interested person over the age of 21.

How often is the Course held?

The NFPTAI is a voluntary association with no State aid and therefore the NFP Teacher Training Courses are held according to the availability of professionals who run the Course on a voluntary basis.  As each Course is scheduled to run over eight months, (see ‘Course Format’ below), the NFPTAI hold one Course only per year. The NFPTAI would hope to hold the Course on an annual basis but as it is a voluntary association it is not always possible to hold the Course every year.

Course Format:

The Course is in two parts, and lectures are conducted over 5 week-ends, usually in the three month interval from September to November.

  • The Part 1 Examination is held on the Sunday of the 3rd weekend.  
  • The Part 2 Examination is held usually held in the following April. 

 IMPORTANT: In order to sit the Part 1 and Part 2 examinations it is obligatory to attend all teaching sessions.

 Part 1 of the Course

Part 1 of the Course is held in the first three week-ends in which the teaching sessions cover the scientific basis of  NFP, and the observation and charting of the fertility indicators during the menstrual cycle in normal circumstances. Exercises are given out after weekends 1 and 2, to be completed at home to assess progress.

Part 1 Examination

The Part 1 examination consists of two written examination papers as follows:

  1. The questions on one paper cover the scientific basis, theory and rules of NFP
  2. The other examination ‘paper’ consists of a book of charts of eight unique menstrual cycles in normal circumstances to be interpreted by the candidate.
  • To obtain a pass in the Part 1 Examination the candidate must pass both of these examination papers.  
  • The candidate must have passed Part 1 examination before they can proceed to Part 2 of the Course.  This means that any candidate who fails Part 1 of the Teacher Training Course for a Certificate in Natural Family Planning is ineligible to attend the lectures of Part 2 of the Course.
  • Any person who fails Part 1 examination is not qualified to teach NFP and is not authorised by the NFPTAI to teach NFP to clients, as such a person has not satisfied the examiners that they have an understanding of the scientific basis of natural family planning. The responsibility is too great.

Part 2 of the Course

Part 2 of the Course is held in the 4th and 5th week-ends and lectures cover the application of natural family planning in the Special Circumstances of (i) pre-menopause, (ii) after child-birth and during breast-feeding, and (iii) in the post-Pill situation after the woman has stopped using hormonal contraception of any kind. Exercises are given out after weekend 4, to be completed at home to assess progress.

Part 2 Examination

The Part 2 examination on experience in teaching NFP is held the following April, i.e. about 4 to 5 months after the Course lectures have finished. This allows time for the candidate to teach and supervise three clients (in normal circumstances), how to observe and chart the fertility indicators over three menstrual cycles.

Part 2 examination is an oral examination in which the candidate is examined by two examiners on the following:

  1. The candidate discusses the charts of 3 clients in normal circumstances whom she (he/she if a teaching couple) have taught over 3 cycles.
  2. The candidate/s discusses her/their interpretation of the charts in a book of ten charts of ‘special circumstances situations’ issued by the NFPTAI Examination Board.
  3. The candidate has to show and discuss the book of teaching materials which she, or they (if a teaching couple), have put together as her/their own aids to teaching.

Repeat Examinations:

A candidate may resit any examination (either Part 1 or Part 2) with the next available Course. There is an administrative fee to resit any examination.