Ob/Gyn
What is an OB/GYN?
The education and training for both fields—Obstetrics and Gynecology—occurs concurrently. Thus, an obstetrician/gynecologist is a physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care to women and has particular expertise 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 (OB/GYN) can serve as a primary physician and often serves as a consultant to other physicians.
Education and Training Requirements
The education and training requirements for obstetrics/gynecology are set by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and include the following:
- Graduation from an approved medical school
- Completion of an OB/GYN residency program (minimum of 4 years in length) that is accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
- 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 dysfunction; performance and interpretation of diagnostic pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound
- Increase in patient responsibility with each year of training
- Serving as chief (senior) resident during final year of residency
Board Certification
Once the above requirements are met, physicians are allowed to take the certifying examinations given by ABOG. Physicians who pass the examination are granted board certified status in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a pre-requisite to subspecialty certification. Physicians are required to maintain Board Certification through a maintenance of certification process each year.
Subspecialties
There are four recognized subspecialties in the field of obstetrics/gynecology: gynecologic oncology, maternal/fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery. Each subspecialty has its own certification exams administered by ABOG, and physicians can become certified in one or more of them. There may be a time in your care that you may be referred to one of these subspecialties.
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Concerned with consultation and comprehensive management of patients with gynecologic cancer
- Requires knowledge of major cancer treatments, diagnosis, and complications of oncology
- Maternal/Fetal Medicine
- Concerned with the care and consultation of patients with complications of pregnancy
- Requires knowledge of obstetrics, medical and surgical complications of mother and fetus, current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and newborn adaptation
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Concerned with the management of complex problems relating to reproductive endocrinology and infertility
- Requires knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of endocrinology and infertility disorders
- Urogynecology/Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
- Classified as surgical subspecialty
- Concerned with the health of the female urinary tract and surgery as a treatment
- Requires knowledge of complex benign pelvic conditions, lower urinary tract disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction, and reconstructive pelvic surgery
