Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Career summary

Obstetricians are doctors who specialize in pregnancy, birth, and caring for new mothers. Gynecologists are doctors who focus on the health of the female reproductive system. (Together, these doctors are usually referred to as OB/GYNs). They usually see the same patients on a regular basis.

Obstetricians and gynecologists ask patients questions to learn about their medical history. They examine patients and, if necessary, order lab tests. Obstetricians and gynecologists explain test results and review treatment options with patients. If more than one treatment is available, they help patients decide which option to choose. They also monitor a patient's condition and make changes in the treatment if needed.

OB/GYNs perform routine tests such as Pap smears and breast exams. On expectant mothers they do ultrasounds to see how the fetus is developing. They deliver babies and may perform cesarean sections. They also diagnose and help treat conditions such as ovarian and uterine cancer.

Like most doctors, obstetricians and gynecologists focus on preventing problems before they begin. They educate patients about exercise, hygiene, and eating better. They also talk to patients about managing their lifestyle, especially smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and planning pregnancy.

Obstetricians and gynecologists share similar tasks with other types of physicians, they:

• Assign tasks to nurses and other health care workers
• Consult with other health care professionals
• Oversee the business aspects of running an office
• Keep detailed records about each patient
• Write reports for insurance companies and government agencies

Some obstetricians and gynecologists teach at medical schools. They may also do research on procedures and treatments for disease. Advances in medicine require doctors to update their skills regularly.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Dentists
• Family and General Practitioners
• Internists
• Nurse Midwives
• Pediatricians
• Physician Assistants
• Podiatrists
• Surgeons
• Veterinarians

Military careers

• Physicians and Surgeons

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to obstetricians and gynecologists.

• Meet with female patients to gather background information.
• Examine patients to find location of health problems.
• Order lab tests to help make diagnoses. Analyze data and make diagnoses.
• Counsel patients on preventive health measures, such as diet, hygiene, and exercise.
• Recommend treatment and discuss with patients. Prescribe medication, if necessary.
• Monitor patients' health and re-evaluate treatment.
• Keep detailed records on patients' health.
• Counsel family members about patients' condition.
• Refer patients to health care specialists when needed.
• Care for women during pregnancy, birth, and after they have delivered their infants. Help deliver babies, including performing cesarean sections.
• Consult with other physicians.
• Write chart notes. Fill out paperwork for government agencies or insurance companies.
• Assign tasks to nurses and other health workers.
• Take classes to update skills.
• May administer hospital or community health programs.
• May do research and write articles for journals.

Common work activities

Obstetricians and gynecologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Evaluate information against standards
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Document and record information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform for or work with the public
• Analyze data or information
• Process information
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coach others
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor and control resources
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Develop and build teams
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Teach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Schedule work and activities
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, obstetricians and gynecologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They constantly talk with patients, nurses, and other medical staff.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are responsible for the work done by the health care workers they supervise.
• Are often placed in conflict situations in which they must deal with patients and family members who might be angry or unpleasant.
• Communicate daily by phone, letters, memos, and in person. They use e-mail, but much less frequently.
• Usually work as part of a team of medical professionals.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors in clinics and hospitals.
• Often wear a special uniform, such as a white jacket.
• Are exposed daily to the diseases or infections that their patients have.
• Often wear masks or rubber gloves to protect themselves and their patients from disease.
• Work very near others. They must come into close physical contact with patients during examinations.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure all details are complete. Errors or omissions could seriously endanger the health and safety of patients.
• Repeat the same physical and mental tasks.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that substantially impact patients and their families.
• Make nearly all their decisions and set their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Work in a moderately competitive, stressful atmosphere where they must meet daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work more than 40 hours per week.
• Generally work a set schedule.
• May be on-call, which means available to work on short notice to handle emergencies.

Physical demands

Obstetricians and gynecologists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for obstetricians and gynecologists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for obstetricians and gynecologists to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.

Skills and abilities

Obstetricians and gynecologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Medicine
• Osteopathic Medicine

Other programs of study to consider

• Emergency Medical Care
• Midwifery
• Nurse Practitioner
• Physician Assisting
• Pre-Medicine

Training

To work as an obstetrician or gynecologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree;
• graduate from medical school;
• complete an internship;
• pass a state licensing exam;
• complete a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology; and
• pass additional exams to become board certified.

Education after high school

To become a doctor, you must complete medical school. Medical schools grant a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DOM) degree. You spend the first two years of medical school in classrooms and labs. You study anatomy, biochemistry, and medicines. You also learn how to take a medical history, examine patients, and make a diagnosis. During the next two years, you work in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of physicians.

You usually need a bachelor's degree to get into medical school. While you do not need to be a pre-medicine or science major, these programs are good preparation. If you earn a liberal arts degree, be sure to take courses in physics, biology, and chemistry.

On-the-job training

While in medical school, you spend two years working as an intern in a hospital or clinic. As an intern, you rotate through internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics, oncology, and other hospital departments.

After medical school, you complete a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. Residency usually lasts four years. Residents usually work in hospitals. After your residency, you take additional exams to become board certified.

Military training

The military provides advanced training for doctors. However, it does not provide the initial training to become a doctor. Scholarships for advanced medical training are available in return for a required period of military service.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . You need a very strong background in math and science to become a doctor. Take as many math and science courses as you can.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Food and Nutrition
• Foreign Language
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many obstetricians and gynecologists begin work in a group practice or clinic. Some go to work for the hospital where they complete their residency.

Costs to workers

Obstetricians and gynecologists who have borrowed money to pay school expenses have large debt payments for the first few years after graduation. The average debt for medical students who graduated in 2018 was $196,520 with 83% percent owing at least $100,000. Malpractice insurance is expensive. Obstetricians and gynecologists have some of the highest insurance premiums.

To enter private practice, physicians must invest in equipment, office space, and staffing costs. Estimated costs range from $75,000 to $100,000 or more.

#Updated debt info from AMA pdf https://members.aamc.org/iweb/upload/2017%20Debt%20Fact%20Card.pdf

#Looked at ama site no new figures 2/16/12 lh

#Updated malpractice data from Medical Economics: http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/modernmedicine/modern-medicine-feature-articles/malpractice-premiums-continue  and AMA debt info 4/11/13 cj. Updated debt for 2014 from printout from Leo from aamc.org/first;didn't see any recent specific malpractice figures so deleted that for now (source being Medical Economics) 3/10/15 cj.
#"A survey by Medical Economics showed that the median malpractice premium in 2011 for obstetricians and gynecologists was $43,400."

#Updated debt info from AAMC First 2016 debt card linked to from this page https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid/ 12/12/16 cj. Updated to 2018 data from same source 4/8/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Obstetricians and gynecologists must be licensed by the State of Washington as either medical or osteopathic physicians. Licensing requirements include:

• a good moral character;
• physical and mental capability to safely perform the duties of a physician;
• completion of a four-year doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine program at an approved medical school;
• one year (osteopathic physician) or two years (medical physician) approved post-graduate training;
• completion of four- (medical physician) or seven- (osteopathic physician) clock hours AIDS education; and
• passing a national written exam.

For more information on the US Medical Licensing Exam, call 215.590.9500 or go to the National Board of Medical Examiners  website.

Osteopathic doctors must complete 150 hours of continuing education every three years and medical doctors must complete 200 hours of continuing education every four years.

Licensing fees vary ranging from $491 (medical physicians) to $391 (osteopathic physicians) for the application. The annual renewal fee for osteopathic physicians is $441 and the biannual renewal fee for medical physicians is $657. The combined fee for an application and state exam for osteopathic practitioners is $516. The licensing and the renewal fees generally include an access fee for health-related online library journals and publications and a Washington physician health program surcharge.

For more information on medical doctors, contact:

Washington Medical Commission 
PO Box 47866
Olympia, WA 98504-7866
360.236.2750

For information on osteopathic doctors, contact:

Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#2/5/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Obstetricians and Gynecologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Costs of establishing a practice are high, so net income during the first year(s) is low for new physicians. Earnings rise as the practice develops.

Wages vary by years of experience, area of the country, and hours worked. The doctor's skill, personality, and professional reputation also affect wages. Self-employed OB/GYNs generally earn more than those who are not self-employed.

OB/GYNs usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Doctors' offices
• Hospitals
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Growth for this occupation will show little to no change over the next few years. Factors that will limit growth are advances in technology that allow more patients to be seen each day. Also more people see nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.

Obstetricians and gynecologists who are willing to move to rural and underserved areas should have little trouble finding a job.

Other resources

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine 
5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301.968.4100

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 
2915 Vine Street
Dallas, TX 75204
214.871.1619

American Medical Association 

American Medical Association - Medical Student Section 

American Osteopathic Association 
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
800.621.1773
312.202.8000

Aspiring Docs Website from the American Association of Medical Colleges 

The Student Doctor Network 

Washington Osteopathic Medical Association 
PO Box 1187
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
425.677.3930

Washington State Medical Association 
2001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
800.552.0612
206.441.9762

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Obstetricians and Gynecologists (29-1064.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Gynecologist (070.101-034) 
• Obstetrician (070.101-054) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Physician

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Social/Realistic

COPSystem

• Science Professional
• Service Professional