The obstetrician-gynecologist: specialist and primary care physician

Article Abstract:

In the rush to identify obstetrician-gynecologists as primary care providers, the specialty must not dilute the appropriate and necessary training of obstetrician-gynecologists as surgical and medical specialists of the female reproductive tract. Since its inception as an organization, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has had as its goal maintaining the highest standards of care. Over the years, changes have been made in education and training evaluation in order to ensure that those high standards were met. Obstetrician-gynecologists already meet the criteria for primary care providers in that they provide comprehensive care and continuity of services. Already the ACOG Board Certifying Exam devotes one-third of the questions to office practice, which encompasses primary and preventative care. Obstetrician-gynecologists should be prepared to change with the times, but they must maintain their focus on women's health problems.

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The obstetrician and gynecologist: primary care physician or specialist?

Article Abstract:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has taken steps to ensure that obstetrician-gynecologists are considered primary care providers. The ACOG became aware that obstetrician-gynecologists were not listed as primary care providers in the original version of the health care reform plan drafted by Hillary Clinton's Health Care Reform Task Force. Because primary care providers act as gatekeepers to the specialists, this would mean that women could not see an obstetrician-gynecologist without a referral. The ACOG took steps to inform college members and enlist their help, document that obstetrician-gynecologists did in fact provide primary care, and solicit support from the government. This resulted in obstetrician-gynecologists being designated as primary care providers. The Residency Review Committee is now reviewing requirements to make sure generalist education is included in residency training.

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The obstetrician-gynecologist - generalist, specialist, subspecialist?

Article Abstract:

Obstetrician-gynecologists are both primary care providers and specialists. However, similar to pediatricians, they are care providers with a special focus and knowledge. The characteristics of primary care include availability, continuity of care, providing care for a wide variety of problems, providing preventative care and health maintenance, and making referrals when appropriate. Obstetrician-gynecologists provide all of these. Still, obstetrician-gynecologists must be careful to balance the need for appropriate training in primary care with the need to develop subspecialists. The health care system is changing, and there appears to be a move to create women's health as a new specialty in the same way that the medical care of children and the elderly became specialties. The role obstetrician-gynecologists will play if this comes about is as yet unknown, but they must participate in the debate.

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