According to the 2000 U.S. Census, slightly more than half
of the United States is
female. Additionally, the country’s population is expected to increase by over
100,000,000 over the next 40 years. Based on these statistics, one can conclude
that the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology is a field that will be in high
demand for the long term. This fact, combined with the extremely rewarding
nature of the specialty, makes OB/GYN an attractive option for new MD’s. WHY CHOOSE OB/GYN? The combined Obstetrics/Gynecology specialty appears to be a
very narrow field at first glance, but that view is deceptive. The Ob/Gyn
specialty is unique in that it combines primary care, emergency medicine, and surgery. An Ob/Gyn
physician treats a wide range of patients, both in terms of background and age.
Ob/Gyns also have the ability to tailor their careers to encompass all or just
a few facets of Ob/Gyn practice. This specialty calls for quick thinking, strong
interpersonal skills, and proficiency in a variety of specialized procedures to
treat an array of conditions. It’s a hands-on and deeply involved job with
immediate and gratifying results. Patient expectations of Ob/Gyns are arguably higher than for any other
specialty. The obstetrician is the guide and caretaker in an experience that a
vast number of women consider the most important in their lives—bringing a new
life into the world. So important is the birth of a healthy baby, most mothers put
the life of their child over their own as the priority, should complications
arise. In addition to providing the highest quality of care, the most important
contribution a doctor can make to an expectant mother is to dispel her fears. This high expectation of care also comes with a high risk of
malpractice. While the majority of claims end in the favor of the physician,
insurance premiums for Ob/Gyns are among the highest for all physicians. The
threat also looms long after the delivery of a child, as some problems may not
manifest themselves for years. An Ob/Gyn residency requires four years, but does not require an internship in
general surgery. Rather, surgical training is incorporated into the Ob/Gyn
program. Rotations include general gynecological care, labor and delivery,
reproductive endocrinology and gynecological oncology, among others. LIFESTYLE CONCERNS Those looking into a career in Ob/Gyn must consider that although the average
number of patient care hours per week hovers just under fifty (according to the
American Medical Association), those hours could very well be spread around the
clock. While outpatient care is easily scheduled during normal working hours,
the baby has most of the say in the timing of the delivery, and
middle-of-the-night calls will happen. Some level of control can be levied on your schedule depending on the type of
practice you choose. Some doctors choose to limit their private practice to
gynecology only, keeping regular office hours and leaving the child-birthing to
family physicians, hospital obstetricians, and nurse midwives. Factors such as
location, the number of physicians in a medical group, and the number of
patients currently under care also affect the schedule. POST RESIDENCY TRAINING Following a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, there are several options
for subspecialty training. Most fellowships require an additional three years
of training, and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers
certification examinations to fellowship graduates. One such fellowship is that of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. This subspecialty deals
primarily with high-risk pregnancies. MFM fellows are experts in diagnostic
procedures such as amniocentesis and fetal blood sampling, as well as
therapeutic procedures such as delivery, abortion, and fetal reduction. A fellowship in Gynecological Oncology serves the large group of cancers that
afflict the female reproductive system, and is also a lucrative career path, as
doctors in this subspecialty have the highest average compensation of
practicing OB/GYNs at just over $300,000 per annum. These surgeons utilize the
latest techniques in surgical and radiation treatment, and can be found in
regional hospitals and more specialized cancer centers. A very rewarding fellowship option is that of Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility. These doctors give infertile couples hope of conceiving their own
children. A doctor in this field, however, will attend patients of both sexes
and all ages, as it also covers hormonal and reproductive disorders. REI fellows
will also develop proficiency in microsurgical procedures, the administration
of fertility drugs, and assisted reproduction. The annual salary in this
subspecialty averages over $220,000. DELIVERING A SATISFYING CAREER
Gynecologists and obstetricians must demonstrate the utmost compassion as well
as technical ability and, in many cases, endure a difficult schedule and be
able to handle risky situations with a delicate hand and a sharp eye. For all
the difficulties and risks inherent in OB/GYN practice, however, most doctors
find the rewards outweigh them substantially.
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