Obstetrician-gynecologist: description of the profession, job responsibilities

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

An obstetrician is a specialist who monitors a woman's he alth during pregnancy and participates in childbirth. In medicine, this profession is divided into two types: an obstetrician with a secondary specialized education and an obstetrician-gynecologist with a higher education. The duties of an obstetrician include caring for newborn children and providing moral support to patients. A gynecologist-obstetrician performs surgical interventions, controls the process of childbirth, stitches a woman in labor.

History of the profession

In ancient writings, scientists found references to the processes of childbirth, as well as the actions of doctors during childbirth. Until the 13th century, this process was not studied in detail by medical professionals. Only Hippocrates was the first to study this process in detail, devoting an entire section to it in his book.

Over time, obstetrics was practically not studied. During the Middle Ages, when almost all areas of science were subordinate to the church, any attempt to treat peopleended badly. Ancient healers were burned at the stake, calling them servants of the devil. Midwives acted as assistants for the birth, who acted ineptly, which led to various injuries and even death of the mother and baby.

For many years, the role of obstetrician was performed by women, but in ancient Greece, men also took birth. For the first time, books describing the profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist were published in the 16th century, when this speci alty in Europe was recognized as an important and necessary industry. At that time, the first teaching aids with drawings were created. It was at this time that the profession of an obstetrician became a separate component of medicine and subsequently began to actively develop. In modern times, labor activity has been fully studied, medicine has achieved considerable success in this industry.

The latest technologies and knowledge of doctors have made childbirth as safe as possible for both the woman in labor and for newborns. The profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist has become in demand and very respected in society, since these specialists help a new person appear, and also significantly alleviate the suffering of a pregnant woman during childbirth.

Profession Description

The work of an obstetrician-gynecologist is considered one of the most difficult in medicine. Despite the limited range of activities, the doctor is constantly faced with potentially dangerous processes. Specialists in this field can choose to work in two directions:

1. Obstetrician (medium medical worker). To work in this position, you must unlearn at a medical college. Responsibilities of an obstetricianincludes the psychological and physical preparation of a pregnant woman for childbirth. Also, the he alth worker must take care of the newborn baby while the doctor does other work during the delivery.
2. Obstetrician-gynecologist is a specialist with a higher medical education. This specialist must know not only the physiology of the woman and the fetus, but also all the possible pathologies and complications that arise during the bearing of the child, as well as during the delivery. The specialist monitors the he alth status of the woman carrying the child, monitors the development of the fetus. The range of duties of a medical worker includes the provision of timely and qualified assistance during the toxicosis of the expectant mother, the conduct of childbirth, the implementation of procedures for the successful completion of the birth of the baby into the world. If necessary, an obstetrician-gynecologist performs surgical operations.

Training

In order to become a specialist in the field of obstetrics, an applicant must choose one of the specializations:

• obstetrics and gynecology;
• obstetrics (secondary specialized education);
• medical business.

All of the listed speci alties will allow you to successfully get a job in a maternity hospital, where students will subsequently participate in the emergence of a new life.

Choice of school

In order to master the specialization you like, you must choose one of the universities or colleges. The most famous in our country are:

• Amosov North-Eastern University;
• Roslavl Medical College;
• State Medical Institute in Moscow;
• Kabardino-Balkar University named after Berbekov;
• Medical College No. 2 of the Moscow Department of He alth.

In each region of the Russian Federation there are higher or secondary educational institutions where you can find the appropriate faculty.

Labor

Many applicants are wondering: "What are the pros and cons of the profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist?". The work of a doctor in a maternity hospital is very difficult. When choosing such a line of activity, you must remember that you have to work according to a shift schedule day and night, sometimes you have to stay at work, because childbirth lasts for several hours. The duties of an obstetrician-gynecologist include:

1. Daily routine examination of pregnant women and women who have already given birth. Checking pressure, presence of edema, temperature, weighing, measuring the abdomen, examining the uterus, checking its tone. The specialist should also check the fetal heartbeat.
2. Doppler sonography.
3. Treat the patient according to the results obtained.
4. Preparation for childbirth, which includes examination of the woman, her psychological preparation.
5. Constant monitoring of the condition of the woman in labor and the baby immediately before delivery, control of the intensity of contractions and their frequency.
6. Birth attendance.
7. Checking for placental integrity after delivery.
8. Surgical intervention for complications of childbirth.
9. Performing a number of procedures during labor, such as turning the fetus, using techniques to squeeze the baby.
10. Squeezing the uterus to reduce it.
11. Suturing.
12. Prescribing medications.

In addition to the above duties, a doctor working in the department of the maternity hospital performs other procedures and operations. A doctor of a high category is trusted to conduct premature and pathological births.

Job requirements

The main criterion for the successful work of an obstetrician-gynecologist in a maternity hospital is high stress resistance, because a woman in labor and her child experience severe pain and stress. The result of childbirth cannot be predicted in advance. It is important for a specialist to quickly and competently apply his skills and abilities, since the lives of his patients depend on it.

The doctor must also have the following characteristics:

• good physical shape and firm hands, because he needs to accept the fragile body of a newborn;
• be self-confident, because the he alth of mother and baby depends on the correctness of his decision;
• an obstetrician-gynecologist should always be attentive during his work.

In order to successfully heal, a worker in a maternity hospital must not only have perfect knowledge of the female body, the skills of timely detection and treatment of dangerous diseases, but also be able to deliver. The doctor in the maternity ward needs to perform several other functions at once, embodying in his personoperating room, ward and children's nurse, pediatrician and even a psychologist.

The duties of an obstetrician-gynecologist include working with modern medical equipment, and the specialist is also required to understand a large number of medicines. In addition, he often has to examine the body of patients in case of their complaints, and in emergency cases, provide urgent medical care to save the mother and baby.

What diseases does a gynecologist treat

Obstetrician-gynecologist's job responsibilities include treating women with the following problems:

• ovarian cyst;
• salpingitis;
• uterine fibroids;
• infections transmitted through the genitals, such as chlamydia or mycoplasmosis;
• endometriosis.

The profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist includes the inspection of organs such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, ovarian appendages, labia, ovaries, and the vagina.

The doctor conducts a series of examinations in order to identify problems in time and make a decision on the treatment of the patient, namely:

1. Thyroid diagnosis.
2. Blood chemistry.
3. Immunological and genetic testing.
4. Tests for infections in the body.
5. Total collection of blood and urine for patient he alth analysis.
6. Examination of the future mother's body for hormonal levels.
7. Tests that detect the presence of antibodies in human blood, fight pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
8. Carrying out computer diagnostics (MRI).

Whenworth a visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist

It's no secret that ladies periodically need to visit a specialist in the field of women's he alth. Consider a number of factors in which it is worth immediately making an appointment at the clinic:

1. Missing periods for more than three consecutive months without intercourse with a man.
2. Profuse bleeding during menstruation or if menstruation lasts more than 10 days.
3. The menstrual cycle is delayed during normal sex life.
4. The period of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen.
5. Roughness or scuffs have appeared in the intimate area.

The role of the doctor in planning a child

The profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist involves preparing the mother's body for conception, infertility treatment and much more. After the young family has decided to have a child, it is necessary to prepare the conditions for the normal conception and development of the baby in the womb. The specialist needs to write out a referral to the future woman in labor for a visit to several specialists to assess the general state of he alth, and both young parents need to pass a series of tests, including blood and urine collection, and be examined by a therapist. A woman who dreams of a child needs to check the condition of her teeth, throat and eyesight.

After all the doctors have examined the man and woman, they need to cure all diseases, if anyfound because it is undesirable for a woman to take medications during pregnancy. In addition, some diseases affect the conception and development of the fetus.

Is the work of a doctor in demand

The profession of an obstetrician-gynecologist is very much in demand. Maternity hospitals are always ready to accept new employees. In private and public medical institutions, there is a severe shortage of doctors for childbirth. Experienced specialists are ready to teach interns all their skills and abilities in assisting women in childbirth.

Salary

The salary of an obstetrician-gynecologist directly depends on the level of qualification of the doctor. The average salary in Russia is about 40-50 thousand rubles. If you work in large cities, then the earnings of specialists are much higher than the average for the country. Also, experienced doctors with experience are valued in private clinics, where they are offered comfortable conditions and good salaries.

Difficulties in finding employment

After successfully completing their studies at a university and receiving a diploma, young professionals almost always find employment in their profession in medical institutions. In the process of studying, the applicant must undergo an internship. Already in the course of its implementation, the future doctor can show himself and his character, which will subsequently help him get a vacant position.

To get a job in a private medical institution, you need experience and recommendations from the hospital management. Inthe interview time of a specialist is evaluated by several criteria at once. The most attractive places accept only the best specialists in their field.

Career

It's hard to get promoted in the medical field. After all exams for advanced training have been passed, the specialist is awarded the title of "obstetrician-gynecologist category 3".

Subsequently, the doctor can be promoted to the second, first and highest category. If a specialist proves himself to be a talented leader, there is a chance that he will be promoted to the head of the department, and even to the position of chief physician of the hospital. Some talented doctors are accepted to work in the Ministry of He alth.

Job outlook

Despite the many job responsibilities of obstetrician-gynecologists, their activities are quite attractive and promising, because it opens up many opportunities for development for a specialist in this field. Graduate medical education turns you into a leading specialist, which allows you to conduct a private practice.

Working conditions

In maternity hospitals and antenatal clinics, the work schedule is in shifts, but the future doctor must be prepared to often stay late at work during emergencies and difficult births.

Doctors' responsibility

The obstetrician-gynecologist of the maternity hospital bears great responsibility in case of making an independent decision during complex operations and othermedical manipulations. If the fact of illegal or erroneous actions of medical personnel, as well as their inaction, as a result of which the death of the patient occurred, is proved, specialists are liable before the law of the Russian Federation.

Professional Development Program

To climb the career ladder as an obstetrician-gynecologist, a specialist will have to periodically improve his qualifications. To do this, you need to take training in special courses, which usually last several weeks. After successfully passing the exams, a qualified doctor is awarded a certificate confirming his right to provide medical care to patients in need.