title: Obstetrics and gynecology--to be or not to be? Factors influencing one's decision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken to determine factors influencing a medical student's decision to choose obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) versus another specialty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical school graduates from 1991 to 2001 were surveyed about factors influencing their specialty choice. Data were analyzed with chi(2), logistic regression, and odds ratio where appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1128 surveys, 562 (50%) were returned; 37% of respondents were women and 63% were men; and 73 (13%) chose OB/GYN. Statistically significant positive influences included student sex, second-year rotations, OB/GYN staff, continuity of patient care, primary care opportunities, surgical opportunities, healthy patient population, female patients, lifestyle, and financial opportunities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived lifestyle, primary care opportunities, and malpractice concerns did not influence the choice to enter the field of OB/GYN. Also, the perception of patient's desire for female physicians had no apparent influence, either positive or negative, in the decision process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fogarty
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bonebrake
authors.forename: Alfred D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Gleb
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haynatzki
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics; D010465:Perception; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires