China's First Reproductive and Genetic Physicians Alliance Launches, Offering One-Stop Services for Infertility Patients

From February 24 to 27, the 2022 “Huashan Forum” of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, together with the 8th Xijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Summit Forum, was held in Xi’an. At the forum, China’s first “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance was established. The Reproductive Medicine Center of Xijing Hospital partnered with the digital healthcare platform WeDoctor to jointly create an innovative model featuring “Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Diagnosis and Treatment plus Full-Process Reproductive Health Management.” This alliance will facilitate technology sharing and two-way patient referrals, establishing a cross-disciplinary, closely integrated collaborative system between physicians at different levels of care, centered on reproductive and genetic diagnostic and therapeutic services. It will enable patients with infertility at the primary care level to access advanced diagnostic and treatment services at local hospitals. While primarily serving the Northwest region of China, its reach extends nationwide.

Xijing Hospital’s Center for Reproductive Medicine Partners with WeDoctor to Launch China’s First “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance

In recent years, the incidence of infertility in China has been rising year by year. According to the National Epidemiological Survey on Reproductive Health, the infertility rate in China increased from 12% in 2007 to 18% in 2020. An increasing number of couples facing fertility difficulties are choosing to have children through assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART refers to the use of medical interventions to help infertile couples achieve pregnancy, placing high demands on expert resources and technical capabilities. Data show that as of December 2020, there were only 536 medical institutions nationwide approved to provide human assisted reproductive technologies and operate human sperm banks. Among these, fewer than 100 institutions were qualified to offer preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), commonly known as “third-generation IVF.”

As one of the earliest medical institutions approved to conduct human assisted reproductive technologies, Xijing Hospital has achieved multiple breakthroughs in genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis, uterine transplantation, and other fields, maintaining a leading position in China in both clinical practice and embryology laboratory techniques. This year’s “Huashan Forum” coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Reproductive Medicine Center at Xijing Hospital. Witnessed by experts and physicians from across China, the “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance was officially launched.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Reproductive Medicine Center of Xijing Hospital Was Held at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 "Huashan Forum"

“By partnering with WeDoctor to co-establish the ‘Reproduction and Genetics’ Physician Alliance, we have built a collaborative system for joint diagnosis, consultation, and referral in the field of reproductive health in Northwest China. This initiative aims to share advanced technologies, promote the standardized development of reproduction and genetics, and provide comprehensive, one-stop services for patients with infertility.” Professor Zhang Jianfang, Director of the Reproductive Medicine Center at Xijing Hospital, outlined the vision for the alliance at its launch ceremony. It was reported that the Reproductive Medicine Center of Xijing Hospital will soon relocate to a new facility, which will significantly increase its patient capacity.

The Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Xijing Hospital, was established in 2001. Leveraging the robust support of the hospital’s large-scale Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Center has demonstrated prominent advantages in multidisciplinary team (MDT) expert consultations, genetic and prenatal diagnosis, comprehensive pregnancy management, and the treatment of complex infertility cases.

Based at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Xijing Hospital, the “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance will establish an interconnected, standardized, and bidirectional operational mechanism. The alliance will focus primarily on two key areas: sharing advanced technologies and facilitating bidirectional patient referrals. Primary care physicians will have sustainable access to learning, advanced training, and professional development opportunities. Specialists from Xijing Hospital will conduct irregular outpatient clinics at primary care hospitals, while patients in these communities can achieve convenient bidirectional referrals through alliance physicians, thereby reducing travel burdens and treatment costs.

Group Photo (Partial) of the First Batch of Physicians Joining the “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance

“Infertility treatment is relatively complex. First, the causes are diverse; it may involve female infertility or male infertility, and often includes needs related to eugenics and healthy childbearing. This requires a multidisciplinary approach involving gynecology, andrology, reproductive medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and obstetrics. Second, the treatment duration can be relatively prolonged. For instance, in vitro fertilization (IVF) poses significant physiological and psychological challenges for patients. Therefore, it is essential to establish a physician alliance model that features interdisciplinary collaboration and whole-course disease management,” introduced Professor Zhang Jianfang.

The online channel for joining the “Reproduction and Genetics” Physician Alliance was launched at the conference. Physicians from relevant specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, andrology, infertility, and reproductive medicine, may apply by replying with “Alliance” on the “Haoyun Xi Xiaojing” WeChat official account, clicking “Join the Physician Alliance,” and completing the required information.

As China’s largest digital healthcare platform, WeDoctor will provide technical and operational support to the alliance, helping it build a one-stop online-to-offline (O2O) service platform for doctors and patients. “Through our digital platform, we enable one-click two-way referrals, remote consultation guidance, and sharing of disciplinary expertise, allowing basic examinations, medication management, and postoperative care to be conducted at local primary healthcare institutions, with specialists providing online remote consultations and guidance,” said Xu Yuekai, Head of Assisted Reproduction at WeDoctor. He emphasized that digital empowerment enhances the efficiency of high-quality medical resources, enabling a broader population of infertility patients to access more convenient, high-quality diagnostic and treatment services.