...is it possible to get a job as just an obstetrician? I want to handle pregnancies only, not gynaecology. How is the job market and salary for this? Would I still have to study gynaecology in medical school/residency?
2007-03-19 11:05:16 · 4 answers · asked by Ricky Jones 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
You do not specialize in medical school, so you would have to study gynecology there, as well as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and a variety of other specialties.
In order to become an obstetrician, you need to complete a residency that covers both obstetrics and gynecology. You have to learn it all. You may find that you like both. You also may find that the call schedule for OB only is too draining - babies come at all hours, and the staying-up-all-night routine gets old after a while.
Obstetrics also has a fair amount of gynecology inherent in it - you still have to stitch up tears or episiotomies, perform hysterectomies when women won't stop bleeding after delivery, take care of their genital warts and STDs, and a lot of other things.
You would probably make more money as a gynecologist than as an obstetrician. In Pennsylvania, the high malpractice rates have put a lot of obstetricians out of business. For medical assistance patients, the malpractice costs more than they make for a delivery!
Job market/salary is dependent upon where you want to work.
Good luck.
2007-03-19 12:20:42 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible to practice obstetrics without practicing gynecology. Most doctors, nowadays prefer practicing gynecology without doing obstetrics, mostly because of malpractice insurance or personal reasons. You would still ahve to go to do a residency (3 years) that trains in both gynecology and obstetrics. The job market and salary depends on where you live, the number of competing obstetricians, and the birth rate in that area. And somewhat on the economy. I couldn't give you an estimate because i don't know how many years before you graduate med school.
2007-03-19 18:24:03 · answer #2 · answered by misoma5 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is possible, you could work in a large hospital and catch babies all day, but OB is the most sued specialty and carries the highest malpractice insurance, so it may not be practical to do so. You would also have to learn all the gynecology in residency too.
I agree with that other guy, if this is all you want to do, go into being a midwife.
2007-03-19 18:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by Troy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try to become a doula or a midwife
2007-03-19 18:14:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋