title: Why obstetrics/gynecology, and what if it were not an option? A survey of resident applicants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the secondary residency choice of obstetrics/gynecology and family medicine residency applicants and to determine the most and least appealing aspects of each specialty.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective cohort study surveyed residency applicants in obstetrics/gynecology and family medicine from 2004-2007 at the University of New Mexico (obstetrics/gynecology and family medicine) and the University of California-San Francisco (obstetrics/gynecology). Applicants completed an anonymous 5-question survey about their secondary choice of specialty, least likely residency choice, and the most and least appealing aspects of their chosen specialty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six percent obstetrics/gynecology applicants would have chosen a primary care specialty, and 37% would have chosen a surgical specialty. The most appealing aspects of obstetrics/gynecology were surgery and obstetrics. The least appealing aspects were work hours and liability concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obstetrics/gynecology applicants are divided between primary care and surgical specialties as their secondary choice. Core aspects of surgery and obstetrics are most appealing. Emphasis on these components of the specialty in medical school may improve student recruitment into obstetrics/gynecology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogburn
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Espey
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Autry
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leeman
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bachofer
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies