Becoming An Obstetrician

An obstetrician/gynecologist is a physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care to women and has specific skill in pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive system. This includes preventative care, prenatal care, detection of sexually transmitted diseases, Pap test screening, and family planning.

An obstetrician/gynecologist, commonly abbreviated as OB/GYN, can serve as a primary physician and often serve as consultants to other physicians. OB/GYNs can have private practices, work in hospital or clinic settings, and maintain teaching positions at university hospitals. OB/GYNs may also work public health and preventive medicine administrations. OB/GYNs have a broad base of knowledge and can vary their professional focus. Many develop unique practices, providing high-quality health care for women. OB/GYNs may choose to specialize in Acute and chronic medical conditions, adolescent gynecology, behavioral problems, cancer, endocrinology, health maintenance during pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy and delivery, prevention health, and urinary tract disorders.

<Tab/>The education and training requirements to be an Ob/gyn are a bachelor's degree in the field of pre-medicine, graduation from an approved medical school, completion of an OB/GYN residency program (minimum of 4 years in length) that is accredited. Rotations divided between obstetrics, gynecology, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology, and ultrasonography, experience in primary and preventive care role for the equivalent of at least 6 months of the residency, including inpatient and ambulatory care, diagnosis and management of breast disease and lower urinary tract disfunction, performance and interpretation of diagnostic pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound, increase in patient responsibility with each year of training, serving as senior resident during final year of residency. During four years of training, the obstetrician-gynecologist learn about aspects of preventive health care, including exams and routine tests that look for problems before you are sick, immunizations, overall health and provision of care for a range of medical problems, not just those of the reproductive