Nothing could be further from the truth. While the specialty is involved in the care of complex and healthy pregnancies, many obstetricians and gynecologists do no pregnancy care, in their ultimate career development, and focus on gynecological care or one of the sub-specialties. It is also common for obstetricians and gynecologists to do less obstetrics as they themselves grow older and as their patients grow older with them.

The era of the solo practitioner on-call all the time, and living a lifestyle which sacrifices family life, simply does not exist anymore. Most obstetricians and gynecologists work in collaborative and cooperative groups and have well-arranged call schedules. Some have less than 100% practices which are shared with others to ensure protected time for family and other activities. Most now understand that lifestyle is something that can be managed and controlled as long as the right arrangements are put in place. Average incomes in obstetrics and gynecology are healthy so that money should not be an issue in supporting a good lifestyle. More and more obstetrician and gynecologists are in tune with, and demand, a life outside medicine.

It is true the obstetrics and gynecology is an area of practice where the frequency of lawsuits and the settlements are more than in some other specialties. Nevertheless, you should understand that most suits are not successful and also that the cost of malpractice premiums, while high, is shared with provincial governments so that the individual practitioner does not bear the entire burden. The net effect on income is relatively small. The number of suits has plateaued in recent years, as The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other agencies provide continuing education and advocacy for risk reduction techniques in practice. There also is continuing pressure for legal reforms to develop a no-fault or similar insurance system in Canada.

In recent decades, obstetrics and gynecology has been at forefront of innovation and has set the standard for other specialties to follow. Dr. Murray Enkin (Professor Emeritus of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster), Dr. Ian Chalmers and Dr. Marc Kearse pioneered an effort during the ’80s and early ’90s to develop the largest data base of controlled trials in medicine, as it applies to pregnancy and childbirth care. This, then, was used to generate a number of systematic reviews and recommended changes in practice standards, which have changed the face of practice. These innovations led directly to the development of the Cochrane Collaboration and the model of “evidence-based medicine” within, which has been adopted by many other specialties.

Innovations, like prenatal ultrasound, complex discoveries in reproductive endocrinology, advanced technology (such as in vitro fertilization) and innovative techniques in minimally invasive surgery marks this specialty with vigor and innovation. If you want to be involved in a specialty heavily based on strong scientific evidence for its practice, or if you want to be involved in the generation of such evidence, this is your specialty.

There has been a tremendous gender shift in obstetrics and gynecology over the latter part of the 20th century. Initially a male dominated specialty, it is now true that a majority of graduating obstetricians and gynecologists are women. However, there are no barriers to entry for men into obstetrical and gynecological programs in Canada and certainly no gender preference. Candidates are judged based on qualifications, interests and background. It is perfectly possible to have an excellent training program and a very successful practice and career after graduation if you are male. The continuing shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists in Canada means that we need every interested and qualified candidate to consider a career in obstetrics and gynecology without distinction as to gender. If you are male and you have a genuine interest, and qualifications for this career, do apply.

In Ontario, the Professional Association of Interns & Residents of Ontario (PAIRO) guarantees certain rights as a function of the contract that it has with government. There are generous policies with respect to post-call, maternity leave and other important issues. These rights, under the contract, are guaranteed no matter what residency program you are in. In addition, the McMaster residency program in obstetrics and gynecology has always been innovative and places education first. The interests of individual candidates and their career development are our most important priority. We have adapted to a number of special requests and unique needs of individual residents over the years and will continue to do so.