Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and gynecology is a diverse specialty concerned with the delivery of medical and surgical care to women. This field combines two specialties: obstetrics, which focuses on the care of women before, during, and after childbirth; and gynecology, which involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system. Relationships with patients are long-term and are often encompass a variety of pivotal events in a woman’s life.
Ob-Gyn’s bridge the gap between primary care and a surgical subspecialty, serving as many women’s primary care provider but also able to act as a consultant to other physicians. In many cases, the Ob/Gyn is the primary care physician, with whom female patients have regular contact and obtain medical advice and counseling. The specialty also offers opportunities to for a variety of practice, with diverse subspecialties, and the opportunity to focus on diverse patient populations, like adolescents, high risk obstetrics, or patients experiencing infertility.
The goal of the OBGYN interest group is to:
a) Attract students to OBGYN
b) Provide resources and guidance to those matching into OBGYN
c) Educate non-OBGYN-bound students in women’s health issues
Opportunities to for a variety of practice, with diverse subspecialties
Subspecialty Fellowships
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
- Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
- Infectious Disease
- Pediatric Gynecology
- Global Health
- Family Planning
Clinical Experience
- Percentage of Patient Encounters:
- Routine check ups: 52%
- Acute Illness: 28%
- Chronic illness: 17%
- Terminal Illness: 2%
- Patient characteristics:
- Infants (0-2): 1.8%
- Children (3-18): 10.57%
- Adults (19-64): 75.63%
- Older adult (65+): 15.46%
Median Salary
Early career – 262, 442
All physicians – 309,028
Length of Training: 4 years
Mean USMLE scores
Step 1 221
Step 2 CK 237
Average Hours Worked per Week 58
Average weeks worked per year 47
Residency Programs: 242
References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 2010 Physician Compensation Survey [special feature]. Modern Healthcare. July 19, 2010: 20-26.
https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/list/us/336850/obstetrics_and_gynecology.html
Shilpa Mokshagundam (shilpa.mokshagundam@vanderbilt.edu)
Lauren Holroyd (lauren.e.holroyd@vanderbilt.edu)
Sarah Heerboth (sarah.a.heerboth@vanderbilt.edu)
Faculty Advisor:
Olivia Hutul, MD
VUMC Residency Director:
Celeste Hemingway, MD: Residency Program Director
Nicola White: Assistant Program Director
Contact: Beth Nicely
VUMC Faculty to Contact:
VMS students have recommended these faculty members as great contacts for career info, shadowing experiences, and research opportunities
Adam Huggins (clerkship co-director)
Emad Elsamadicy
Hutul, Olivia, M.D.
New, Melinda, M.D.
Hemingway, Celeste, M.D.
Kellett, Josh, D.O.
Rush, Charles B., M.D.
Cain-Swope, Christina, M.D.
Curlin, Howard, M.D.
Gold, Karen P., M.D.
Gowda, Meghana, M.D.
Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Information for interested students, clerkship resources, links to applications to OB-GYN grants and awards.
APGO Residency Directory
https://www.apgo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=49
• Interactive map of every OB-GYN residency program in the country, searchable by state. Includes program statistics, rotations, salary, and other information
AAMC Careers in Medicine Website
• https://services.aamc.org/careersinmedicine
Specialty Information: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Nature of the work
An obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders. This physician serves as a consultant to other physicians, and as a primary physician for women.1
Subspecialities:
Critical Care Medicine – diagnoses, treats and supports female patients with multiple organ dysfunction.
Gynecologic Oncology – provides consultation and comprehensive management of patients with gynecologic cancer.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine – prevents and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Maternal and Fetal Medicine – cares for, or provides consultation on, patients with complications of pregnancy. This specialist has advanced knowledge of the obstetrical, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy.
Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility – manages complex problems relating to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
Training/residency information
The residency for obstetrics and gynecology is four years. One to three years of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.
Salary information
The annual salary ranges from approximately $251,500 to $326,924.2
For more information
American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology [External Link]
American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists [External Link]