11th MASTER COURSE DIAGNOSIS AND MICROCOPY VULVOVAGINAL DISEASE
Location: Femicare Tienen, Belgium
Date: 18 and 19 February 2026
Program
Friday 18 September 2026
08.30-09.00 Arrival – Coffee - Breakfast
09.00-09.30 Introduction Femicare, ISIDOG*
Part 1: Diagnosing vulvovaginitis
09.30-10.30 Microscopy in clinical practice (G. Donders, Be)
10.45-11.45 Vulvovaginitis: ‘The big five’ (A. Tsiakalos, Gr)
12.00-13.00 Lunch
13.00-14.00 Rol of molecular biology in vulvovaginitis (S. Lebeer)
14.00-15.00 Microscopy during pregnancy (F. Donders)
15.00-15.15 Discussion and coffee
15.15-16.30 Interactive selective cases presentation
16.30-17.00 Discussion – summary
17.00-19.00 Break
19.00-22.30 Dinner at Fidalgo - meet the faculty - networking
* International Society for Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Saturday 19 September 2026
08.45-09.00 Arrival – Coffee – Breakfast
Part 2: Practical fresh wet mount microscopy
09.00-09.15 How to use and understand a microscope (A. Psarris, Gr)
09.15-09.45 Sampling collection and preparation of microscopy slides (G. Donders, Be)
09.45-10.00 Femicare registration and scoring system (L. Agoni, It)
10.00-10.15 Coffee break
10.15-11.45 Interactive live microscopy with real patient’s smears
Part 3: Exam - certificate
12.00-13.00 Lunch & networking
Part 4: Hands on + ceremony
13.00-15.30 Hands-on microscopy and case discussion (all staff)
15.30-16.00 Presentation of selected cases
16.00-16.30 Wrap up – ceremony certificates – End of Part 2
Farewell drink
18.00 End of Master course
Practical information
This two-day internationally recognized course is organized by Femicare VZW, and is certified by IUSTI Europe, ISIDOG and EBCOG as a master course 'training in diagnosis and microscopy of vulvo-vaginal infectious pathology'. An application for accreditation was also submitted to the RIZIV (Belgian Federal Accreditation Agency).
Speakers and tutors are all authorities in the field, with various international publications to their name and extensive clinical experience. All were trained in microscopy in the Femicare Research unit.
Participation costs: €845 (Residents/Students: €590)
Participation costs for ISIDOG members: €795 (Residents/Students: €545)
This includes the course, teachers, hands-on microscopy with 4 life microscopes and screen, two breakfasts, two coffee breaks, two lunches and exclusive dinner. There is also an exam with the issue of a certificate. NO previous experience is necessary.
Number of participants: Participation in this course is exclusive and strictly limited to 15 participants.
Prior experience or knowledge: no prior experience of microscoy is required. Some preceding knowlegde of vulvovaginal diseases is advisable.
What to bring? You are welcome to bring some air-dried microscopy slides to view and discuss together. However this is in no way obligatory
Location: Femicare is located in the Fit & Form building, located at Gasthuismolenstraat 31, 3300 Tienen, and is easily accessible on foot or by taxi from the train station, or by car. Parking at the building is available.
Where to stay? Special price has been negotiated with in Hotel Kronacker to stay one or 2 nights for this course. Walking distance.
Exclusive dinner is included in the participation fee, the organization kindly invites you to dinner in the Fidalgo restaurant at the end of day 1. If you can’t attend, please inform us during the morning session at day 1. Any dietary requirements can be communicated when registering for the course.