title: A growing concern: inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections correctly.
abstract: The accurate diagnosis of vulvovaginitis should distinguish obstetrician-gynecologists from the vast majority of primary care physicians. Diagnostic accuracy is lost when physicians are unable to do a microscopic examination of vaginal secretions, as well as a "whiff" test and a pH determination. Structured instruction in the use of a microscope should be a required component of obstetrics and gynecology residency training. Physician compensation for this testing should be commensurate with the time and office expense required to provide this service.
authors.affiliation: The New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. wjledger@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ledger
authors.forename: Gilles R G
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Monif
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology