The mission of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University is to prepare graduates to be leaders and role models who define excellence in patient care, medical research, education and health care policy. During your clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology we hope to create a learning environment that fosters the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of physicians who exhibit the highest levels of professional competence in women's health care.

You will participate directly in the care of patients in our Labor & Delivery suite, operating room, ambulatory clinics and inpatient hospital services. Didactic sessions including lectures, clinical skills workshops and case study seminars will supplement your core clinical experience.

We have generated the following set of educational objectives for the clerkship, modified from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Medical Student Educational Objectives 8^th Edition. Graduating medical students must demonstrate mastery of these competencies that have been identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME):

1. The student will be able to describe the maternal physiologic and anatomic changes associated with pregnancy and the physiologic functions of the fetus and placenta.
2. The student will be able to describe the stages, mechanisms and management of normal labor and delivery and identify common problems in obstetrics.
3. The student will be able to describe potential consequences of medical and surgical conditions in pregnancy.
4. The student will be able to explain the physiologic or pharmacologic basis of action, effectiveness, benefits and risks and financial considerations of various methods of contraception.
5. The student will be able to describe the endocrinology and physiology of the normal menstrual cycle, including menopause, and to describe causes, evaluation methods and therapeutic options for abnormal uterine bleeding.
6. The student will be able to describe age and risk-appropriate recommendations for the screening of reproductive cancers.

Patient Care

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to perform a thorough Ob/Gyn history, including menstrual history, obstetric history, gynecologic history, contraceptive history and sexual history.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to perform an obstetric-gynecologic examination, including breast examination and complete pelvic examination that is comfortable for the patient.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to collect and interpret cervical cytology results.
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to interpret electronic fetal monitoring.
5. The student will demonstrate the ability to interpret a wet mount microscopic examination.
6. The student will demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of the OB/GYN history and physical examination by well organized written notes and oral reports.
7. The student will demonstrate the ability to develop hypotheses, diagnostic strategies and management plans in the evaluation of antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum patients.
8. The student will demonstrate the ability to develop hypotheses, diagnostic strategies and management plans in the evaluation of patients with gynecologic problems, including routine postoperative care following gynecologic surgery.
9. The student will be able to create a differential diagnosis of the "acute abdomen" in women of reproductive age, including pelvic infection, ectopic pregnancy, adnexal torsion, appendicitis, diverticulitis and renal calculi.
10. The student will be able to describe the age appropriate screening procedures and recommended time intervals for routine health maintenance and disease prevention in women.
11. The student will be able to describe the symptoms, physical findings, evaluation, management and public health concerns of various vaginal and vulvar disorders, including sexually transmitted infections.
12. The student will be able to describe the basic approach to evaluating common symptoms associated with the breast, including preventive measures for maintaining breast health as well as issues related to lactation.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to interact with the patient to gain her confidence and cooperation and assure her comfort and modesty.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to address sensitive issues with compassion and demonstrate sensitivity to human differences and understanding of the impact of gender, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic and other social factors.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to assess and counsel women for sex- and gender-appropriate reduction of risk, including lifestyle changes and genetic testing, in a manner that is sensitive to cultural beliefs.
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to discuss social and healthy policy aspects of women's health, including ethical issues surrounding sterilization, domestic violence, adolescent pregnancy, and access to health care.
5. The student will demonstrate the ability to share knowledge effectively with peers.

1. The student will show compassion in the treatment of patients and respect for their privacy, dignity and beliefs.
2. The student will demonstrate personal integrity, ethical behavior and altruism.
3. The student will exhibit dependability and responsibility.
4. The student will acknowledge and accept the limitations in his or her knowledge and clinical skills and seek assistance when appropriate.
5. The student will demonstrate the ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships with patients.

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to use information technology to access medical information, critically assess current literature to support his or her own education and provide accessible educational information to patients.
2. The student will display the ability to use feedback to identify areas for improvement.

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to use information technology to access medical information, critically assess current literature to support his or her own education and provide accessible educational information to patients.
2. The student will display the ability to use feedback to identify areas for improvement.

The above set of learning objectives is designed to communicate clearly what is expected in terms of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that ideally would be acquired during the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship by all students, regardless of their choice of medical specialties.

Click here for a more comprehensive version of the Medical Student Educational Objectives created by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO). Although this longer list appears daunting, it is meant to be used as a reference as you proceed through the clerkship and ask the question, "What do I need to know?" It can also serve as an excellent study guide as you prepare for the NBME shelf examination at the end of the clerkship.

"To study the phenomena of disease without books is to sail an uncharted sea, while to study books without patients is not to go to sea at all."

Dr. Osler said it best…in order to optimize your experience in this clerkship, and throughout your career, you must continue to read! The core text for this clerkship is Obstetrics & Gynecology by Beckmann and Ling.  It is an excellent text, filled with a wealth of knowledge. Some additional helpful references include:

Williams Obstetrics
Obstetrics, Normal & Problem Pregnancies by Gabbe
Operative Gynecology by TeLinde
Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility by Speroff
Blueprints in Obstetrics and Gynecology (good for NBME shelf review)