Obstetrics and gynecology—to be or not to be? factors influencing one's decision

The study was undertaken to determine factors influencing a medical student's decision to choose obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) versus another specialty. Medical school graduates from 1991 to 2001 were surveyed about factors influencing their specialty choice. Data were analyzed with χ 2, logistic regression, and odds ratio where appropriate. 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. 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.