Information About OBGYN Doctor

OBGYN is the short form for obstetrics and gynecology. The closeness in the relationship between these two medical specialties allows them to be practiced together. Normally an obstetrician can also work as an gynecologist. Obstetrics is also referred to as pre-natal care. It deals with the treatment of women during the whole period they are expectant. Gynecology on the other hand deals with the healthy well-being of female reproductive system.

Medical practitioners with qualifications to work as both an obstetrician and a gynecologist are called ob/gyns. O. B is the common abbreviation for the title. The title gynecologist is at times used generally to cover both practices. Any OBGYN doctor in Tracy is uniquely trained to handle a wide range of conditions that affect women in different stages of their reproductive life.

This specialty has well outlined academic and training requirements for all practitioners to follow in order to qualify to practice freely. The real training begins in an approved medical school after completing an undergraduate degree. Training in medical schools lasts for four years. The training is then followed by another four years of accredited residency program. Certification of the residency program is done by the American Council responsible for maintaining standards in the field.

Residency program is divided into rotations. Trainees rotate among reproductive indocrinology, ultrasonography, gynecology, obstetrics, and gynecologic oncology. Training acquired during residency equips trainees with experience in ambulatory care and performance and interpretation of ultrasound results from transvaginal and pelvic diagnosis. They also train in managing and diagnosing dysfunction of lower urinary tract and breast disease. Patient responsibility increases yearly as one continues to train.

During the last year of the residency program, the trainees serve as chief residents in the facility they have been training. The governing council administers a certification examination after one has successfully completed all the training highlighted above. The board grants individuals who pass the exam a board certified status. The status is a compulsory requirement for one to gain subspecialty certification. Recertification must be undertaken after every ten years to maintain the certified status.

The field of obstetrics/gynecology has four major subspecialties. The subspecialties include fertility and reproductive endocrinology, fetal medicine, reconstructive pelvic surgery, and gynecologic oncology. Each subspecialty has its own certification and one can decide to get certified in more than one subspecialty. Other smaller fields in the subspecialties include cancer, pregnancy and delivery, health maintenance during pregnancy, behavioral problems, adolescent gynecology, operative gynecology, urinary tract disorder, and preventive health.

OBGYNs spend time in office and in hospitals during working hours. The activities they do during office visits may include annual exams, pap smears, sonograms, and pre-natal checks. Some outpatient surgeries are sometimes also done in the office. In hospitals, they deliver babies and perform Cesarean sections. On average, an ob/gyn can deliver between 12 to 15 babies in one month. They are called during night time and weekends to attend to emergencies in hospitals where they work. This makes the profession very demanding.

Gynecologists can get employment in academic institutions, hospitals, clinics, or government organizations. Some settle for private practice and work for themselves. Others join group practice to be part of a team and serve the public.

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