What Is Obstetrics and Gynaelogists

Obstetrics and gynaecology (or obstetrics and gynecology; often abbreviated to OB/GYN, OBG, O&G or Obs & Gynae) are the two surgicalmedical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnantand non-pregnant patients. In veterinary medicine, theriogenology is the more commonly used term that also includes andrology.

Training
The training required to practice medicine as an OB/GYN is extensive, although the exact duration of training varies by country. In the United Kingdom, training lasts seven years. In the United States, four years in residency are required for MDs and DOs. In Australia, the residency training period is six years, matched only by neurosurgery and maxillofacial surgery. In India, post graduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology is in the form of a two-year diploma course (DGO) or a three-year (MD or MS). Some OB/GYN surgeons elect to do further subspecialty training in programs known as fellowships after completing their residency training, although the majority choose to enter private or academic practice as general OB/GYNs. Fellowship training can range from one to four years in duration, and usually have a research component involved with the clinical and operative training. All gynaecologists are trained obstetricians, although the reverse is not necessarily true. However, some OB/GYNs may choose to drop the obstetric component of their practice and focus solely on gynaecology, especially as they get older. This decision is often based on the double burden of very late hours and, depending on the country, high rates of litigation.[citation needed] This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patient. A bachelors degree is the minimum formal education required.

Subspecialities
Examples of subspecialty training available to physicians in the US are:

Maternal-fetal medicine an obstetrical subspecialty, sometimes referred to as perinatology, that focuses on the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies and surgery on the fetus with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility a subspecialty that focuses on the biological causes and interventional treatment of infertility Gynaecological oncology a gynaecologic subspecialty focusing on the medical and surgical treatment of women with cancers of the reproductive organs Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery a gynaecologic subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of women with urinary incontinence and prolapse of the pelvic organs. Sometimes referred to by laypersons as "Female urology" Advanced laparoscopic surgery Family planning a gynaecologic subspecialty offering training in contraception and pregnancy termination (abortion) Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology Menopausal and geriatric gynaecology

Of these, only the first four are truly recognized sub-specialties by the Accredited Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The other subspecialties are recognized as informal concentrations of practice. To be recognized as a board-certified subspecialist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologyor the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a practitioner must have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency and obtained a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) which requires an additional standardized examination.[1][2] Additionally, physicians of other specialties may become trained in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO), a short certification that equips them to better manage emergent OB/GYN situations.

Work Enviroments
OB/GYNs may work in a variety of health care environments, from large teaching hospitals to family planning clinics. The mixture of work varies according to the practice choices of the physician. Some OB/GYN doctors receive specialized training in gynecologic oncology and perform surgery exclusively. Many OB/GYNs practice both obstetrics and gynecology, often with the same patients. Others choose to pursue one of the two fields specifically; technically, obstetrics and gynecology are two separate specialties that we commonly combine since many doctors practice them both. Obstetrics and gynecology both focus on the health of a woman's reproductive organs, with obstetricians specializing in reproductive health during pregnancy and gynecologists focusing on the health of those same organs outside of pregnancy. Because of the unpredictable nature of labor and delivery, the work schedule can be highly variable, with significant amounts of overnight call and unusual work schedules.

Requirements
Education Since obstetrics and gynecology are medical specialties, future OB/GYN doctors will need both undergraduate (Bachelors) and medical school degrees. Medical school admissions officers are looking for excellent grades, volunteer work, research experience and high marks on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). The type of undergraduate degree (BS, BA, AB, etc.) or the academic major is not important, but high performance is essential. Therefore it is best to choose a field that one enjoys and can presumably do very well in. Classes in science and math are required of all applicants. Medical school lasts four years and includes didactic (classroom) and clinical rotations. Strong performance in classes and on board exams will enable students to have more options in where they match for residency. It is always important to do well in the third year OB/GYN clinical rotation and also to choose at least one subinternship in the field prior to applying for residency. Training After completing an MD degree and matching to an OB/GYN program successfully, residents must complete a four-year residency-training program. During this time residents will earn a relatively low salary ($45,000 annually) and care for patients under the supervision of more senior physicians. Courses include gynecology, obstetrics, and benign gynecological surgery (female sterilization, fibroid removal, etc.). Those interested in pursuing a career in gynecological oncology (focusing on surgery and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive organs) must complete a three-year fellowship after finishing OB/GYN residency.

Licensing and/or Certification OB/GYNs need a license to practice medicine. This can be obtained (and maintained) from their state medical board. Most OB/GYNs will seek board certification from theAmerican Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This credential requires the candidate to pass a board certification examination. Licensure requires successful completion of three United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) board exams. Necessary Skills and Qualities Even though we have been doing it for millennia and have gotten much better at it recently, labor and delivery is still a stressful, risky time for the mother and baby. Therefore OB/GYNs must be able to work thoughtfully and skillfully under pressure. They must also be suited to working highly variable work schedules. Because it is a hybrid specialty, of sorts, OB/GYNs should enjoy practicing both medicine and surgery. This requires a good bedside manner and clinical acumen along with dexterity, precision, and surgical skill. Opportunities for Advancement OB/GYNs begin their post-training career in a high salary position. Advancement comes through academic promotion (if working at a university hospital) or to more senior levels in private practice. Most OB/GYNs would consider advancement in their profession to be having more control over their practice (for instance, choosing gynecology over obstetrics) or over their work schedules (such as fewer on-call hours).

Salary
During residency training, an OB/GYNs annual salary may range from $45,000 to $60,000. Salary will increase with each year of training. After residency is completed, the starting salary is generally between $200,000 and $250,000 per year. In 2010 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median salary for physicians in obstetrics/gynecology was $281,190. It is important to note that OB/GYN malpractice insurance premiums are among the highest for physicians. The listed salaries do not take into account these insurance costs, which can reach six figures for a single provider.

College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Academy of Medicine of Malaysia

Introduction
Welcome to the trainees section of the OGSM website. This section of the website is specifically for trainees who are interested in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O & G) as a career and for those who are already working within O & G. This section comprises information about examinations, career, education and training programmes which are relevant to the Malaysian setting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I start my training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology? Upon graduation and completion of your house-officer term (2 years), you need to express your interest to be trained in Obstetrics & Gynaecology to the respective committee of the hospital you are working in. The committee/ person in-charge may help you to secure a medical officer post in the department of O&G which will enable you to develop your clinical skills & knowledge in Obstetrics & Gyanaecology. 2. What are the qualifications I must obtain in order to become a specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology? Currently, there are 2 recognised methods/pathways to be qualified as a specialist in O & G. Masters in Obstetrics & Gynaecology After completing 3 years of experience in O & G as a medical officer, you could apply to undertake the Masters programme in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at one of the three universities currently offering the programme ie, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia & Universiti Sains Malaysia. However, the application is currently centralized by the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) of the Ministry of Education. Trainees who are interested should obtain the prescribed forms from the UPU following advertisements in the national newspapers. The regulations regarding this application will be according to that outlined in the advertisement.

Research educational requirements for an OB/GYN career. A high GPA with emphasis in science is one of the mandatory requirements. The exact requirements are: