WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for March, 1998: Re: Questions for an obstetrician

Re: Questions for an obstetrician

From: Kelly Shanahan, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 28 Mar 1998 13:11:05 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Christina: "Questions for an obstetrician"

At Fri, 27 Mar 1998, Christina wrote: >
><<How about you post your questions here -- that way you can "interview"
>>several obstetricians from around the world.
>>--
>>Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
>>S. Lake Tahoe, CA>>
>
>Thanks for the suggestion. Here are my questions I need answered. If
>you want, post them here or e-mail them to me. Answer what you can.....
>thanks for your time
>
>1. What is your daily routine. (If there is no set daily routine, then
>what was your day like today?)

Most days I get up at 5:15, go to the gym and work out for an hour, come home, shower, eat breakfast and head to the hospital by 8 AM. After seeing patients in the hospital, I see patients in the office from 9 - 5, and after finishing paperwork, usually head for home around 6 or 6:30. If I'm on call (which happens 10 days out of the month), I may have to run to the hospital in the middle of office hours or in the middle of the night to deliver a baby. I take every Thursday off, and on Fridays I do surgery -- last Friday I was in the operating room from 7:20 AM to 7:00 PM and then delivered a set of twins! Once I finish all my "doctor" duties, I try to answer questions on the WOmen's Health Forum on obgyn.net, write my column for Better Health, plus cook dinner, feed the dogs, do laundry and spend some time with my husband. >
>2. What attracted you to your career?

I love helping people and I find what I do very challenging and intellectually stimulating -- there's never a dull day. What I love about ob-gyn is the combination of the mental (medicine) and the hands on (surgery), along with the ability to really get to know my patients over the long term. There is nothing as rewarding as delivering a baby. >
>3. What are the benefits of your career?

It is intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding. Because I am self employed, I have the freedom to set my own hours and practice the way I want to. I have the great satisfaction of helping other people. >
>4. What are the drawbacks to your career?

Insurance companies, lawyers, and the long hours.

>
>5. What changes have occured in this field over the past years? (i.e.
>Technology, advancements, etc..)

The advent of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) have allowed us to do so much more through little tiny incisions which are less painful for the patient and allow people to go home sooner and return to work sooner. We have learned much more about genetic conditions and how to diagnose them. Infertility treatments are much better than they were 10 or 15 years ago. We can care for premature babies infinitely better.

>
>6. What do you think of the opportunties for the future?

Opportunities are good, but not unlimited. I hope to see us focus more on prevention and health maintainence. With the population growing older there will be more opportunity to enhance care of menopausal women and find better ways to treat incontinence. There will always be a place for ob-gyns in our society, but we must be more willing to serve in areas where we are truly needed and to be flexible -- perhaps work less hours, make less money, but have more time for friends, family and outside interests. >
>7. What is the salary range?

It varies depending on where you are in the country. Just out of residency, the average starting salary is around $100,000. The days of making a million dollars a year are over, but most ob-gyns are very comfortable. >
>8. What training and education did you get?

After 4 years of college there's 4 years of medical school. The ob-gyn residency is another 4 years, then if you decide to subspecialize in maternal-fetal medicine or infertility, there's 2 to 3 more years of training.

>
>9. Are there internships available for obstetricians?

Ob-gyns do a 4 year residency, the first year of which used to be called "internship" >
>10. Is there a lot of stress involved? Liablity?

Yes. Yes. >
>11. What personal characteristics do you think are needed for an
>obstetrician?

Compassion, empathy, intelligence, perserverence, and not much need for sleep!

>
>12. What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming an
>obstetrician?

Search your heart -- make sure it's what you really, really want to do, as the entire process of med school, residency and subsequent practice is very demanding. Enlist the support of friends and family. Work hard in school, but don't just focus on the sciences -- take classes in philosophy, or art, or whatever else you love. Being balanced is very important to living a fufilling life. >

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

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