Obstetrician - Gynecologist (OB/GYN)
Obstetricians - Gynecologists are specialized physicians who screen for, diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases of the female reproductive system and provide care during pregnancy, delivery, and the post-partum period. To that end, they prescribe appropriate medications or treatments and perform any necessary obstetrical or surgical procedures.
Obstetricians - Gynecologists may continue their training and become specialists in a specific area, such as oncology, fertility and maternal-fetal (perinatal) medicine.
An Exciting Field of Work
In general, Obstetricians - Gynecologists:
- Diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system
- Examine patients to determine medical problems
- Prescribes a course of treatment such as medication, surgery, or other procedures to women
- Provide advice to women on family planning and birth control
- Give prenatal, natal, and postnatal care to women
- Monitor expectant mother to assure that the pregnancy is progressing normally.
- Perform surgeries such as cesarean sections or other procedures
- Assess the health of mother and fetus and the progression of labour
- Perform normal and complicated deliveries
- Offer women counselling on such topics as sexuality, pregnancy, menopause, women’s health, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases
Personal Characteristics / Skills
- Good communication and interpersonnel skills
- Good analytical & problem solving skills
- Professionalism and high ethical standards
- Compassion and maturity
- Patience, respect and empathy
- Excellent listening skills and ability to instill confidence
- Capacity and eagerness to learn new skills and information
Education and Training
A Bachelor of Science and a Medical Doctor (MD) degree followed by an Obstetrics & Gynecology residency program is required.
Education program offered in New Brunswick
Medical Education programs are offered in New Brunswick by the following educational institutions:
- Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) – English program
- Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick – French program
Length of Study / Training
12.0 - 13.0 years
Licence and certification
To practice in New Brunswick, Obstetricians - Gynecologists must be licensed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick.
Helpful High School Courses
- Math
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Employment and Common Working Conditions
Obstetricians - Gynecologists work in a variety of settings, such as:
- Private practice
- Hospitals,
- Clinics
- Universities and medical schools
Obstetricians - Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) often work very long and irregular hours. The nature of the job often requires them to be on call at all hours for a variety of emergencies as well as patients giving birth, including evening, weekends and holidays. This type of work can be physically and mentally demanding as OB/GYNs often make life or death decisions.
Employment Prospects - very GOOD
With our aging population, it is anticipated that there will continue to be a high demand for Obstetricians - Gynecologists.