Minority & Underserved in OB/GYN - Southeast

[EMDocV]

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As with all medical specialities there are common pros & cons associated with specific practices. For some time I have become very interested in working with the socioeconomically disadvantaged & underserved. I have found a true desire to pursue OB/GYN. As an african american male I have really in a selfless manner set my self up for several oportunities for discrimination. There are still 😱 some instances where patients prefer physicians of other genders & racial backgrounds. I am fully cognizant of that and hope you are as well. 😀 However I am so excited about community outreach, preventive medicine, & especially obstetrics. Being a primary care physician in my opinion seems very rewarding. I anticipated going into private practice, specifically in Georgia with someone who has my same visions & goals. Serve those that are less fortunate, the most vulnerable, & have the need for quality healthcare. I am also into education or rather educating for healthy lifestyles, safe & normal pregnancies. Nevertheless I was wondering if there were any other prospective OB/GYN's or Med students considering OB/GYN, that might have that same outlook. Regardless of the preferance for females in some cases, or the malpractice insurance. Are there any of you all in the healthcare field that tailor thier vocation around serving minority populations? Minority populations in OB/GYN? like myself... 😕

 

[CCObG2B]

I definitely am looking for a program with a strong focus on serving minority and underserved populations. That has been my major focus as a medical student, so it only makes since for me to continue this into residency. One thing that I have noticed though is that you have to look at the hospitals and not just the program. There are some programs that if you just look at the pictures of the residents and faculty you may make a certain assumption about who they offer service too, but when you do further investigation they may have a strong presence in minority communities as well.

 

[EMDocV]

that's good to hear! there are more individuals interested...
i'm really considering morehouse, you've got Grady which can be a plus or negative depending on your own opinions & you've got great hospitals like Emory!

 

[whoops00]

I think that it's very possible to work with specific populations, for almost any specialty, especially ob/gyn. I agree with the previous poster that it really depends on the hospital. Smaller, community hospitals tend to be more involved, community-wise, but of course, that doesn't mean that because it's a community hospital, it serves minority populations (and that academic centers don't do community health). I think it matters on how programs incorporate the population, community health, and public health into the training of the residents. It's important that all physicians on staff recognize that serving these populations isn't just something that they do, but something that requires specific attention - that way, you'll find people who actually enjoy working with minority and underserved populations (does that make any sense at all?).

In all, I encourage you to keep up your interest in minority health. All populations need healthcare, especially ob/gyn care, and you can definitely find a career that suits your professional needs in terms of lifestyle and patient population.

As with all medical specialities there are common pros & cons associated with specific practices. For some time I have become very interested in working with the socioeconomically disadvantaged & underserved. I have found a true desire to pursue OB/GYN. As an african american male I have really in a selfless manner set my self up for several oportunities for discrimination. There are still 😱 some instances where patients prefer physicians of other genders & racial backgrounds. I am fully cognizant of that and hope you are as well. 😀 However I am so excited about community outreach, preventive medicine, & especially obstetrics. Being a primary care physician in my opinion seems very rewarding. I anticipated going into private practice, specifically in Georgia with someone who has my same visions & goals. Serve those that are less fortunate, the most vulnerable, & have the need for quality healthcare. I am also into education or rather educating for healthy lifestyles, safe & normal pregnancies. Nevertheless I was wondering if there were any other prospective OB/GYN's or Med students considering OB/GYN, that might have that same outlook. Regardless of the preferance for females in some cases, or the malpractice insurance. Are there any of you all in the healthcare field that tailor thier vocation around serving minority populations? Minority populations in OB/GYN? like myself... 😕

 

[EMDocV]

I absolutely understand everthing you are talking about. Thanks for the advice & encouragement!

 

[Prosperity]

I am definitely interested in working an underserviced community once I have completed my residency in Ob/Gyn. I am presently an MS2, and I have been interested in Ob/Gyn for many years now, so I am just praying that I learn all that I can no and do well on USMLE Step 1. My personal interest is in adolescent Ob/Gyn. I have not thought much about private practice as of yet, but in time, I will know for sure.

Best Wishes