Gynecologists treat patients who are women exclusively.
These medical professionals use their training and understanding of the female anatomy to treat patients for various medical conditions, from routine examinations to pregnancy and delivery.
They check the health and absence of sickness in their patients’ bodies.
The genitalia, rectum, and urinary tract are just a few of the female organs that gynecologists can diagnose and treat.
In addition to having a strong academic background, those interested in this subject and wanting to become gynecologists must also be passionate about advancing women’s health.
Obstetrics is a medical specialty that deals with pregnancy and gynecologists can practice in both roles. Let’s dive into the main question, how long does it take to become an OB-GYN?
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What is an Ob-Gyn School Like?
The admissions procedure for medical schools is divided into various parts.
They frequently want good GPAs for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate courses, a competitive MCAT score, a succinct personal statement, and numerous letters of recommendation for primary applications.
Medical schools frequently need essays on various prescribed themes as part of secondary applications. A candidate will receive an invitation to an interview if they advance past the secondary application stage.
Candidates for OB-GYN residency programs must hold an MD and have completed the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Then, they will require recommendation letters, a succinct personal statement, and a focused CV.
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS) are used by applicants to apply to residency programs; if a program is interested, it will contact the applicant for an interview.
Is Attending an Ob-Gyn School Worth It?
Yes, it is worth it. Obstetrics and gynecology is a complex medical field that includes the social, cultural, environmental, and genetic factors that can affect disease in women. It also necessitates extensive study and understanding of reproductive physiology.
A generalist OB-GYN may require more than 12 years of postsecondary education and training, and subspecialization may require even longer. However, being an OB-GYN is also a financially and personally satisfying career because they are well compensated and have a daily impact on the lives of their patients.
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What Schooling Do You Need to Become an Ob-Gyn?
Step 1: Complete High School
The first step in becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist is to graduate from high school. You can lay the groundwork for your college studies by enrolling in science and math courses like physics, chemistry, and biology. If you want to be eligible for undergraduate programs, keep your grades up.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
OBGYN is not a major. However, many undergraduate majors can focus on a pre-medicine track to prepare for medical school by taking anatomy, chemistry, biology, genetics, and physics classes. You won’t need a science-related major if you take enough science electives to meet the requirements for medical school.
Step 3: Attend medical school
Medical school is the next stage in seeking a career as an OBGYN. To enroll in a typical U.S. medical school, you must perform well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), an Association of American Medical Colleges program.
It is divided into four portions: the physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing, and biological sciences when taken electronically (www.aamc.org).
You will study in-depth science courses for the first two years of medical school while learning medical terms and procedures.
You’ll receive practical training at a clinic or hospital in your third and fourth years. You will complete a rotation in obstetrics and gynecology as part of your clinical training for your M.D.
Step 4: Complete your OBGYN residency
You’ll apply for and complete a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology to gain expertise in preventive and primary care, patient diagnosis, and surgical procedures. Your obligations and responsibilities as a resident OBGYN will grow yearly. You’ll probably put in long hours at the clinic or hospital and be called to unforeseen situations like deliveries at all-night hours.
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Step 5: Obtain Your License and Certification
OBGYNs and other doctors must all obtain state licensure. You must be under supervision to practice medicine before receiving a license.
The United States Medical Licensing Exam must be passed. You must pass two board exams to become certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (www.abog.org).
After finishing residency, candidates must take a rigorous written exam as their first test. You have to practice in women’s health care after clearing it, and then you have an oral exam with a professorial panel.
You can also consider obtaining a fellowship and certification in a related field, such as gynecologic oncology or maternal-fetal medicine.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed Ob-Gyn?
You must complete 12 years of education before practicing obstetrics and gynecology. First, you must earn a bachelor’s degree to pursue this professional route.
Your bachelor’s program ought to emphasize pre-medicine. This implies that it should include the courses required to enroll in medical school. Medical schools may provide different versions of these courses.
However, the most prevalent are chemistry, biology, physics, anatomy, physiology, statistics, and psychology.
You must complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program before enrolling in medical school to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. It takes four years to earn this degree as well.
The first and second years of medical school are spent in lecture halls and labs, while the final two years are spent on clinical rotations.
You must finish an obstetrics residency after graduating from medical school and earning your MD; this process also takes four years.
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How Much Does It Cost to Become a Licensed Ob-Gyn?
The school and programs you select are just two of the numerous variables affecting the response to this inquiry.
Before obtaining a license to practice, gynecologists must complete several years of training.
Prior to becoming a doctor, most students complete four years of the college curriculum in biology, physics, chemistry, arithmetic, and English.
Pre-med programs often cost between $15,000 and $60,000 a year.
Future doctors must also take the Medical College Admission Test because their MCAT results must be included with their medical school applications.
Depending on the school and the curriculum, four years of medical school might cost between $30,000 and more than $60,000 annually.
For instance, public school in-state programs are frequently less expensive than those provided by private medical schools.
Salary and Job Outlook for Ob-Gyn after Study
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for all physicians, including OB/GYNs, is over $187,200.
According to a 2016 Medscape study of physicians, OB/GYNs made an average pay of $277,000 per year.
According to the Medical Group Management Association, the median pay for all OB/GYNs in 2014 was $317,496, on average.
The cost of OB/GYN malpractice insurance is among the highest for doctors; it is crucial to mention.
The costs of this insurance, which can total six figures for a single provider, are not included in the salary listed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an overall job growth of 14% for all physicians between 2014 and 2024, which is much higher than the national average.
There is now a dearth of practicing OB/GYNs born and educated in the US.
This is large because of the demanding lifestyle of the industry and the expensive cost of malpractice insurance maintenance.
Consequently, the job prospects in this industry are very favorable and particularly strong in several geographic areas.
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Conclusion
If they are not licensed as obstetricians, gynecologists can diagnose pregnancies and give some prenatal care up to a particular gestational period for expectant patients.
An OB/GYN is a gynecologist who is also board-certified in obstetrics and who can treat patients throughout pregnancy and may even be present during delivery.
Even after giving birth, some gynecologists would still see their female patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
A gynecologist is a physician who focuses on the condition of women’s reproductive systems. Gynecologists can diagnose and treat a wide range of problems with fertility, menstruation, and STDs. They can also monitor pregnant women and help them deliver babies.
A certified gynecologist is qualified to perform female reproductive system surgery and is trained to perform various diagnostic tests.
Gynecologists require extensive medical training and a unique set of personality traits, including empathy, dexterity, and communication abilities.
The BLS predicts a 2% increase in obstetricians’ and gynecologists’ overall employment between 2018 and 2028.
The use of new technologies by gynecologists to do tests and treatments more quickly and healthcare facilities to deliver the same level of care while using fewer doctors will both assist in tempering the growth.
Gynecologists’ work prospects, however, are based on the locale and the doctor’s level of expertise; those who are prepared to move to underserved areas will have greater employment prospects.
Beyond high school, gynecologists require at least 12 years of education, which includes undergraduate coursework, medical school, and a four-year residency.
To specialize in gynecology, you may need to complete a fellowship. Gynecologists require a state license to practice.
Gynecologists can demonstrate their qualifications to patients and potential employers by obtaining a certificate from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Obstetrics and gynecology’s most hard and gratifying parts are: The contrast of emotions you experience daily in obstetrics is its most challenging aspect. There is a lot of good medication, but there is also a lot of terrible medicine, which can happen to consecutive patients.