title: Returning inactive obstetrics and gynecology physicians to clinical practice: the Drexel experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physicians returning to clinical practice after inactivity may face many challenges. Few programs provide reeducation, and data are limited about these experiences. We describe the physician refresher/reentry program at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, and the lessons learned in our efforts to facilitate obstetrician-gynecologists' clinical reentry.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2006, Drexel relaunched the Medical College of Pennsylvania's physician reentry course. This structured yet individualized program provides reeducation and assessment for physicians who have left clinical medicine for any reason and are hoping to return. We report the results achieved for 9 obstetrician-gynecologists who successfully completed Drexel's course between November 2006 and November 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 6 men and 3 women had left their practices for different reasons. Seven were reentry candidates, and 2 were remediating; none had left practice for medical negligence. Of the reentering physicians, 5 achieved their goal within 1 month. Of the remediating physicians, 1 achieved his/her goal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through continual self-assessment and participant feedback, we have learned to expand our staff and faculty career advisory roles and seek specialty-specific assessment. Despite our small sample size, Drexel's experience may provide guidance to the growing field of obstetrician/gynecologist reentry in the United States.
authors: Nielufar
authors: N
authors: Varjavand
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Pereira
authors: Dipak
authors: D
authors: Delvadia
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods; D015143:Philadelphia; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012179:Retirement / Q000639:trends*; D062707:Return to Work
keywords: career transitions; physician assessment/remediation; physician reeducation; physician reentry; physician refresher; problem/dyscompetent physicians