Pathway To Become an Obstetrician & Gynecologist

study bachelor of obstetrics in Ireland

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a doctor and wearing a white coat to your work? Being a doctor is such a dream come true, especially becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist. An OBGYN or obstetrician and gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in treating and diagnosing women’s health problems. Being an OBGYN is a fast-track career path that allows you to help women with their problems regardless of age. 

An obstetrician-gynecologist specializes in childbirth, reproductive system, and fertilization. This career path may be suitable for people who enjoy working with women and want to make a positive contribution to women’s health. 

With more than four hundred of thousand live births being conducted each year in Malaysia, the demand for qualified and skilled obstetrician-gynecologist is growing more and more every year. If you are interested in this career path and still wondering where to start, here we are going to help you to discover the pathway to becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist.

What is an obstetrician-gynecologist?

Obstetricians and gynecologists are two different professional jobs. While obstetrician is medical professionals that specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, gynecologists focus on the reproductive health of women. They diagnose and treat problems in women’s reproductive health including the breasts, uterus, ovaries, and more. However, many of them are specialized in both obstetricians and gynecologists. They are known as OB-GYNs.

study bachelor of obstetrics in Ireland

An OBGYN role is to monitor women’s health and their newborns from the beginning of the pregnancy until after the delivery of the newborn baby. In this career, you will have to diagnose, prevent, and treat any problems that emerge during pregnancy. Not only that, but the majority of these practitioners are also experts in women’s reproductive systems and gynecology. 

How to become an OBGYN?

  • High School Graduate

To become an obstetrician and gynecologist, you will need to take a science stream course in your high school and pass with a flying color result, especially for mathematics and science subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and additional mathematics. These subjects are so important for you to pass as you will have to use them again in your degree.

  • Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree

Obstetricians and gynecologists are required to have a bachelor’s degree in any science course like biology, physics, or anatomy, which will take you three to four years to graduate. Although an OBGYN degree is not available in most universities, majoring in a science or pre-medical degree will help you prepare for medical school in the future. You can also study bachelor of obstetrics in Ireland as another alternative for your career pathway. 

  • Proceed to Medical School

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, you will have to attend medical school and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students will spend their first two years in medical school in laboratories, learning anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, medical ethics, and laws. For the next two years, they will gain the opportunity to experience hands-on work with real-life patients while being supervised by licensed physicians. 

  • Complete Residency Program

To become an OBGYN, you must undergo a four-year residency program after completing medical school. Students will be able to improve their medical knowledge and gain experience in surgical operations, patient diagnosis, and primary preventative care during this period.

  • Obtain a Certification and Licence

After completing a residency program, the next stage is to obtain a medical certification and license. The licensing process differs in every country, however, all jurisdictions need a medical license examination. Board certification is important to indicate that you are ready to commit to the field of obstetrician and gynecology that goes beyond medical licensing.

Continue Reading