Job Description of an OBGYN
An OBGYN, or obstetrician and gynecologist, is a physician who specializes in women's health and childbirth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, OBGYNs comprised 5.6 percent of the active physicians in patient care in 2007. Although educational and training requirements for this medical profession are extensive, projected earnings are high.
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Education
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Prospective OBGYNs face lengthy educational requirements. They complete four years of undergraduate study, with course work including physics, biology, English, chemistry and mathematics. They then must undergo four years of medical school and then three to eight years devoted to residency, during which they will spend the later years focusing on obstetrics and gynecology. At the end of their residency they must pass a national exam and apply for a license in the specific state in which they wish to practice.
Skills
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These professionals must pay attention to details to aid them in making diagnoses. Additionally, they must be able to work well under pressure, since lives depend on their work, and they must be able to remain focused for long periods of time. OBGYNs should be able to communicate well and sympathetically with patients and their families.
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Duties
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OBGYNs diagnose and treat ailments related to the female anatomy, including hormonal disorders, breast and cervical cancer, pelvic disorders and urinary tract infections. They aid women in childbirth. They counsel and treat women throughout their pregnancy, giving prenatal diagnoses, taking ultrasounds, and giving postpartum care. They track the health of both the mother and fetus throughout the course of a pregnancy. If an issue arises they must treat the mother by prescribing appropriate medication, operating or taking another measure to cure the problem.
Working Conditions
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Surgeons and doctors often work long, irregular hours. In 2008, 43 percent of surgeons and physicians worked over 50 hours a week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OBGYNs just entering the field are significantly more likely to be hired as salaried employees than to enter into solo practices. They therefore typically have a supervisor and may have a quota for the number of patients they need to see. They may spend long hours on their feet seeing patients or performing operations.
Salary
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OBGYNs are among the highest-paid professionals in the health care industry, earning an average annual salary of $204,470 in May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to these professionals bringing in approximately $98 per hour. As with all professions, salary figures can vary significantly based on geographic location, employer, years of experience and other factors. According to HealthCareSalaryOnline.com, the lowest-paid OBGYNs brought in less than $100,000 per year, some of the highest-paid earned over $400,000 each year.
Job Outlook
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The health care industry is growing at a faster than average rate compared to other fields. With a high number of OBGYNs expected to retire between 2008 and 2018, the job prospects for this profession should be relatively strong. Additionally, a shortage of these doctors exists in under-served and rural areas. The trend toward group practices opens more positions for OBGYNs to be hired and hold leadership roles.
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References
- Photo Credit ostetrica image by Cristiano Pugno from Fotolia.com
