Obstetricians specialize in childbirth and care before and after birth, and are trained to identify and treat complications during pregnancy and delivery. Gynecologists specialize in the primary care of women's reproductive systems, treating diseases and performing procedures like Pap smears and hysterectomies. Becoming an OB/GYN requires at minimum 12 years of education and training including an undergraduate degree, medical school, OB/GYN residency, and licensing exams. OB/GYNs typically work in private practice but may also work in public health or hospitals. The field is growing and OB/GYNs earn a higher than average salary, though the United States faces a shortage, especially in rural areas.

1. By: Madeline
Rollins
EXPLORING OBSTETRICS
AND GYNECOLOGY

2.  Obstetricians are physicians that
specialize in childbirth and care
before and after birth.
 Obstetricians are trained to
identify and treat any
complications concerning the
mother or the baby during
pregnancy.
 Obstetricians perform procedures
such as vaginal delivery, cesarean
delivery, and episiotomy.
OBSTETRICIANS

3.  Gynecologists are physicians who
specialize in the primary care of
women and their reproductive
systems.
 Gynecologists treat any disease
concerning the reproductive
system and may specialize in
gynecological oncology or fertility.
 Gynecologists perform procedures
such as wellness exam, Pap
smear, hysterectomy,
oophorectomy, and tubal ligation.
GYNECOLOGISTS

4.  Medicine has been part of nearly all societies beginning with
herbal remedies.
 Egyptians started to use the system of examination and
diagnosis.
 Greeks created medical ethics and more precise medical
records.
 During the Medieval period, the school of humours came
about, teaching about black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and
blood.
 During the 19th and 20th, research into bacteria and
antibiotics helped to bring around modern medicine.
 The first successful Cesarean section was performed in 1500.
 The first successful hysterectomy was performed in 1853.
 Obstetricians and gynecologists have historically trained and
worked together.
HISTORY

5.  Bachelor Degree (4 years)
 Must complete prerequisites in biology (with lab), inorganic
chemistry (with lab), organic chemistry (with lab), biochemistry,
physics (with lab), math, and English
 Must take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
 Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (4 years)
 First two years of school are in class learning subjects such as
embryology, cellular biology, anatomy, physiology, histology,
genetics, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology and
pathology
 Second two years of school are clinical rotations
 Must pass first two steps of USMLE (United States Medical Licensing
Exam)
BECOMING AN OB/GYN

6.  Residency specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology (4 years)
 Hands-on training program in a teaching hospital
 Must pass third step of USMLE
 Fellowship (2 or 3 years)
 Only necessary for further specialization
 Specialties include maternal-fetal medicine, infertility, gynecological
oncology, and female pelvic medicine (sometimes known as female
urology)
 Licensure
 Must pass exam administered by National Board of Medical Examiners
and exam administered by state in which the physicians intends to
practice
 Known as taking “the boards”
BECOMING AN OB/GYN

7.  University of Miami
 MCAT: 32
 GPA: 3.76
 University of South Florida
 MCAT: 31
 GPA: 3.8
 University of Florida
 MCAT: 31
 GPA: 3.72
 USC School of Medicine Greenville
 MCAT: 29
 GPA: 3.75
 Medical University of South
Carolina
 MCAT: 30
 GPA: 3.6
 Emory University
 MCAT: 34
 GPA: 3.7
PROGRAMS

8.  An OB/GYN may have to discuss very personal and sensitive
issues. They also treat women in the high-stress situations of
pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
 It is important for them to have personal qualities such as:
 Compassion
 Respectfulness
 Empathy
 Good communication
 Attentiveness
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS OF AN OB/GYN

9.  Social
 “People with Social interests like working with others to help them
learn and grow. They like working with people more than working
with objects, machines, or information.”
 Being social is important for a physician because they must be
compassionate and empathetic towards patients. They must also be
good at establishing personal relationships with patients and
communicating health problems and progress with them.
 I display the social quality through my involvement and leadership in
my sorority and the whole Greek community. I also display my social
quality when working efficiently in group projects.
O*NET RESULTS

10.  Investigative
 “People with Investigative interests like work that has to do with
ideas and thinking rather than physical activity or leading people.”
 Being investigative implies that I enjoy problem solving. This is an
important quality for a physician because they must piece together
many health problems and symptoms to come up with a diagnosis.
 I display the quality of investigative through my success in science
classes and labs. I also display my investigative quality through my
work with departmental research.
O*NET RESULTS

11.  Conventional
 “People with Conventional interests like work that follows set
procedures and routines. They prefer working with information and
paying attention to details rather than working with ideas.”
 Being conventional is important for a physician because they must
follow protocol everyday. It is important that they have are
consistent in every procedure they perform.
 I display the conventional quality through my work at summer camp
and through work with my sorority. At camp, we must follow strict
safety protocol with the children. In my sorority, I served as Vice
President of Finance, where I had to plan and execute a $120,000
budget.
O*NET RESULTS

12.  Private Sector
 Single- or multiple-specialty groups
 Solo practice
 Public Sector
 Public health
 Hospital employee
 Medical school employee
 Between 70 and 80 percent of obstetricians and gynecologists
work in the private sector
FIELDS OF PRACTICE

13.  The United States is currently in a shortage of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists, particularly in rural areas.
 The growth rate for physicians and surgeons in general is
18%, which is higher than average in comparison to other
career fields.
 The average salary of a resident is $55,300
 The average salary for an OB/GYN is $301,737.
 The average salary for physicians and surgeons in general is
$220,942.
CAREER OUTLOOK

14.  An OB/GYN must possess academic and personal skills to
become a successful physician.
 It takes at least 12 years of education and training to become
a certified OB/GYN.
 Obstetrics and gynecology is a growing field.
 Obstetricians and gynecologists, on average, earn a higher
salary than other physicians.
SUMMARY OF THE FIELD

15.  https://www.apgo.org/binary/Comprehensive%20Doc%202004.pdf
 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
 http://www.diffen.com/difference/Gynecologist_vs_Obstetrician
 http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-
schools/top-medical-schools/womens-health-rankings
 http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/how-to-become-an-
obgyn-doctor.html
 http://medical-schools.findthebest.com/
 http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip-
print?t=i&z=0&i=062002281416
 http://www.obgynhistory.com/
REFERENCES