A gynaecologist is also referred to as an obstetrician/gynaecologist (abbreviated as OB/GYN) since both the education and training for gynaecologists typically occurs in conjunction with that of an obstetrician. If the process of bringing a new life into the world fascinates you and the miracle of facilitating birth of a baby makes you excited then you can choose this career. From helping pregnant women with complicated or difficult pregnancies to monitoring female organs and reproductive systems or from diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases, cancers of the reproductive organs to performing serious operations, such as hysterectomies, a day in the life of a gynaecologist includes all this and more. However, to become a successful gynaecologist, you must complete a long educational check-list. The training and the journey to this destination is not at all rosy and smooth but the joy of holding a baby that you have helped deliver is well worth all the pain. Read the next section to learn how to become a gynaecologist.
Becoming A Gynaecologist
Requirements
Eligibility
Preparations for medical entrances must begin from high school itself so that you have enough time to prepare for your dream college. With an MBBS degree, i.e. Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery, you can go on further to complete the Doctor of Medicine or the M.D degree with a specialisation in gynaecology. Medical school lasts four years where the first two years are spent receiving classroom instruction in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, laws regarding medicine and medical ethics etc. The final two years of medical school consist of supervised clinical practice where students rotate through various medical specialties including family practice, internal medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology etc. After graduating with an MD degree, obstetricians and gynaecologists are required to spend an additional three to eight years as a hospital resident. After this residency period, all medical doctors have to get a license from the state or country where they wish to set up practise.
Courses Required
Courses Required
If you wish to pursue a particular area of obstetrics and gynaecology, then you could think about specialising in areas such as maternal and foetal medicine, gynaecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility and critical care medicine etc. Fellowships last for one to three years.
Skills Required
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Dedication and hard work are a must to complete the extensive and exhaustive educational training and the long hours at work.
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Attention to detail, organisation skills and level headedness are skills that you cannot do without in this field.
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Good communication skills – written and verbal, friendly demeanour and approachability are the skills that can define your popularity and success.
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Supportiveness and careful consideration to the patient’s situation are essential ethics that all doctors must follow.
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Maintaining confidentiality of patients’ records and medical history is a must for all medical experts but gains extra importance for a gynaecologist owing to the nature of patients and their problems.
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Awareness regarding the latest in the medical world with respect to treatments and technologies etc.
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Discipline, respect and commitment towards patients irrespective of the kind of ailments that they suffer from and the ability to tackle every pregnant woman as different from the others.
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Responsibility and seriousness in the operating room are a must as the gynaecologist take on the role of a demigod there.
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Critical thinking abilities, high stress tolerance and immense patience to deal with the wide variety of ailments and patients.
Roles And Responsibilities
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A gynaecologist is a physician/medical expert who uses medical experience and surgical training to help women and has a high level of expertise in pregnancy, childbirth and the general health of the female reproductive system.
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Performing caesarean sections or other surgical procedures as and when needed to preserve patient's health and deliver the infant safely and ensure the mother’s safety as well.
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They also focus on disorders of the reproductive system and check for sexually transmitted diseases and cancers.
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A gynaecologist also works in the area of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. In this niche field, physicians provide help to patients who suffer from infertility. Ultimately, doctors working in this field provide hope to couples who have been unable to conceive.
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A gynaecologist also serves as a primary physician or a consultant to other physicians or patients for prenatal care, preventative care, Pap test screening, and family planning etc.
Career Prospects
Most go into the profession of gynaecology for the pleasure of delivering babies but that is not all – there are a lot of lethal conditions and infections to deal with in this profession at the starting level. However, those who wish to change or advance may move into hospital administration positions in government or private hospitals and work as health policy advisors or consultants or even work for pharmaceutical companies. There are still many who may decide to teach or focus their work strictly on research. After many years of experience in delivering babies or curing defects and abnormalities in women, starting a practise of your own is also a viable and lucrative option.
In spite of the long hours, hard work and perspirations involved with this kind of job, there are many gynaecologists out there who have went on record to say, “Hearing the sound of the baby’s first cry is the best sound in the world!”
