What is an OB/GYN?
While driving down any street, there is a high possibility that you will see a building that says OB/GYN and have wondered what that acronym stands for. It is actually two different words, the first being obstetrician and the second being gynecologist. An obstetrician is a doctor who has studied pregnancy and the birth process, and a gynecologist is a doctor who has studied the female reproductive system. Most of the time, doctors at the OB/GYN clinic specialize in both areas.
Job Duties
An OB/GYN studies the female reproductive system as well as the breasts. Women are encouraged to make an appointment with their doctor for once a year for a Pap smear and breast exam. These appointments are to ensure that the woman has a healthy system and is not experiencing any signs of cancer or infections.
The second part of their job is to provide expecting mothers with pre and post natal care. They give the mothers exams and check-ups of their baby to make sure that it is growing normally and there is nothing wrong with the baby while it is in the womb. After the baby is born, the mother still has to go to the OB/GYN to make sure that nothing abnormal is happening to her after birth.
The education involved in becoming an OB/GYN includes going to a four-year medical university, and having a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. During residency, the future doctor will receive training and have a better understanding of what real-world experience is like. After residency, the doctor will have to become board certified in order to begin her career.
Specializations
There are different areas that these doctors can specialize in, such as oncology, maternal/fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, and urogynecology. Oncology is the study of cancer, fetal medicine involves taking care of pregnancy, endocrinology involves studying infertility disorders, and urogynecology studies the female urinary tract. For each of these specializations, the doctor must take additional courses that are specifically for the category.
Skills
Most women feel uncomfortable with having somebody inspecting their sensitive areas, and will often seek out women doctors because of this. Regardless of being a man or a woman, the doctor must have bedside manner that makes their patients feel comfortable. This includes remembering certain facts about the patient, and making them feel more like a person than just another client. The more comfortable the patient feels, the more likely she will stay with the doctor.
OB/GYNs have a lot of responsibilities to uphold. They must remember information about their patients, perform duties such as breast and pelvic exams, and participate in pre and post natal care. Their patients rely on them to make them feel comfortable while being examined, and they also trust that their doctor has a thorough understanding of the female body and will give a proper diagnosis as needed.
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