A Career as a OBGYN

By: Austin Johnson

MIM Virtual Camp Project

Atlanta, Georgia

What is a OB-GYN• An obstetrician-gynecologist, or ob-gyn, is a doctor who

specializes in the care of women. He or she has completed special training in obstetrics, which is the care of pregnant women.

• This includes the preconception (before pregnancy) period, pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and after a baby is born. Ob-gyns are also trained in gynecology. Gynecology covers a woman’s general health care, including care of her reproductive organs, breasts, and sexual function. Gynecology also includes management of hormonal disorders, treatment of infections, and training in surgery to correct or treat pelvic organ or urinary tract problems.

Where can a OBGYN practice?

• As a OBGYN you can practice in a variety of settings.

• As a OBGYN your typically in surgery or on the labor & delivery floors.

• Lots of OBGYN’s are in private practice, or in a hospital owned medical practice.

• Some even work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Specialties of OBGYN

• Maternal Fetal Medicine (Perinatology)• GYN Oncology• Reproductive Endocrinology• Urogynecology (not yet board certified)• Pediatrics and Adolescent Gynecology

Education

• In order to become a OBGYN you need to go to medical school. Before you get to medical school you must first successful complete college with the prerequisites for medical school. While in college you will also take the “MCAT” Medical College Admissions Test.

• Medical school is a total of four years. Most Physicians are M.D.’s or D.O. .

• Once you’ve complete medical school you will enter a OBGYN residency for the next four years. Once you have completed residency you have the option to do a fellowship which last for at least 3 years/

Day in the life of an OBGYN

• 7:30 to 9:00 AM Surgery/Hospital Rounds• 9:00-11:30 Office Hours• 11:30-1:30 Lunch (often used for returning

phone calls, attending hospital committee or educational meetings)

• 1:30 -5:00 Office hours• 5:00- 6:00 Telephone calls, administrative

duties, hospital rounds• 41 to 60 hours per week

• 48 weeks devoted to practice • 85 patient contacts (80% in office)

Surgeries

• As a Gynecologist you can perform numerous surgeries. Here are some to name a few.

• Abdominal hysterectomy • Vaginal hysterectomy • Laparotomy w/o hysterectomy • Surgery for urinary incontinence • Lap. surgery for ectopic pregnancy • Laparoscopic surgeries • Hysteroscopy • Conizations • Induced abortion (surgical) • Surgical sterilization•

Why I choose this career

• I've always have been interested in science and helping people. When I was much younger I new I wanted to be a physician. Over the summer of 2013 I got the opportunity to work with physicians in different medical and surgical specialties.

• While working with physicians I new I liked surgery but also really liked primary care. OBGYN can offer me the opportunity to do both.

Salarys

• The average salary of a general OBGYN is about $350,000. If you choose to purse a subspecialty in OBGYN your looking at about almost 400,000 a year.