CREI stands for Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. It is the Sub-specialty accreditation in Infertility in Australia that is undertaken after completion of general Specialisation in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. CREI is administered and regulated by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).
CREI indicates that a doctor has completed a minimum of 3 extra years of full-time training in all aspects of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, such as IVF, Recurrent Miscarriage, Laparoscopic Surgery and Hysteroscopic Surgery. It has been estimated that a total of 15 years of medical training is required to become a CREI Sub-specialist. CREI Sub-specialists are required by RANZCOG to remain up-to-date with the latest developments and to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Infertility.
In Australia and New Zealand, doctors who have completed general specialisation in Obstetrics & Gynaecology have the letters FRANZCOG after their names. General specialists who qualified in the UK have the letters MRCOG after their name.
Some doctors undertake online Masters Courses in Reproductive Medicine. These are university-run online courses. These courses do not provide clinical training in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, are not Royal College-accredited, and are very different from Royal College-accredited CREI Sub-specialisation.
Prof Homer is the only one in Queensland who is an accredited REI Sub-specialist with both the Australian & New Zealand Royal College (CREI) and the British Royal College (CCSST) of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. He is also a general specialist with both Colleges (MRCOG and FRANZCOG).