Do Family Doctors Deliver Babies?

THE FAMILY DOCTOR DOES IT ALL

Many students enter medical school wanting to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, but find that they love the broader scope of practice of family medicine. Family medicine has the broadest scope of all the specialties. The family doctor sees patients of all ages, and all medical conditions. The family doctor can perform minor surgery, and in many places, continues to deliver babies.

Family medicine residents are trained to deliver non-complicated babies during their three years of residency. And while many will go on to never deliver another baby again. Many do. So, if you love the variety and scope of family medicine, but have always wanted to be involved in obstetrics, then family medicine in a smaller or underserved community is right for you.

FELLOWSHIP IN FAMILY MEDICINE OBSTETRICS

But what if you want to do more than just deliver normal, non-complicated pregnancies? Well, there are fellowships in family medicine obstetrics that prepare you to handle much more complex pregnancies, including Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries, which are known as operative obstetrics.

There are currently forty-eight (48) obstetrics fellowships recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians. You can search the AAFP Fellowship Directory to learn more about where these are located.

The fellowships are generally 12-months in length, and lead to board-certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics from the American Board of Physician Specialties.

DEMAND FOR FAMILY MEDICINE OBSTETRICS

Many rural and inner-city areas would not have access to obstetrics care if it were not for family physicians who work in those areas. A search of the 3RNet rural recruitment and retention network as of today’s date found 40+ openings for family physicians who want to practice family medicine obstetrics. Family medicine obstetrics is a great way to continue to practice family medicine, with its many challenges, as well as deliver normal and complicated babies.

READY TO START YOUR CAREER IN MEDICINE?

If you are ready to make your dream of becoming a doctor reality, then UHSA is right for you. We have been producing physicians for over thirty-eight years (1982), and know what it takes to succeed. We offer three programs to help you live your dream.

Accelerated Premedical Program

This program gives you all of the credits you need to enter our MD program, and it will do it in the shortest time possible. Our premedical program is taught using problem-based learning, and is focused on medical issues, so that you are highly prepared for medical school.

Traditional MD Program

If you already have the prerequisites for admission to medical school, then the traditional program is for you. Taught using innovative problem-based learning methods, clinical vignettes, and a highly-experienced international faculty, this is a great way to live your dream of becoming a practicing doctor. We offer three start dates per year, including January, May, and September.

Combined MD/Masters of Public Health (MPH) Program

You can now earn your MD and your MPH at the same time! Our innovative dual degree program is perfect for those who want an internationally recognized qualification that will better their chances of being accepted to residency programs, as well a valuable qualification for working in international health, public health, or preventative medicine.

Contact our Admissions Team to begin living your dream!