OB/GYN: Background Info
Obstetrics and gynecology is a field of medicine that is concerned with caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth as well as treating diseases or infections of the female reproductive system. Obstetricians and gynecologists are physicians who have obtained a bachelor's degree, attended medical school, and completed an Ob/Gyn residency program. These professionals are also required to become board certified in obstetrics and gynecology.
According to PayScale.com, the median annual salary for doctors working in obstetrics and gynecology as of November 2020 was $230,985. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% growth in jobs for all physicians and surgeons between 2019 and 2029, which is as fast as average for job growth in the United States.
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Online Courses in OBGYN
Students looking to pursue a program in obstetrics and gynecology can find some commonly offered OBGYN courses online. Free online courses in obstetrics and gynecology can help students explore a potential field of interest. Highlighted here are nine such courses.
- Fundamentals of Human Biology Course: This course introduces human biology, anatomy and physiology. Material begins with individual organs and links their functions into systems. The nervous, skeletal, vascular, muscular and reproductive systems are among those studied. Students also learn proper medical terminology to detail normal operation and document pathology.
- Practical Ultrasound and Sonography for Obstetrics Course: Students begin by exploring the physics behind ultrasound and sonography theory and technology. The ultimate goal of an OBGYN ultrasound course is to master recognizing and differentiating between normal and abnormal fetal placement and development in all trimesters. The course also covers instrument operation, calibration and maintenance. It also teaches methods for developing effective scanning techniques and protocols.
- Fertility Issues in Gynecology Course: Participants learn the basics of human fertility, potential causes for infertility and medical treatments to correct the condition. They practice techniques to test and monitor patients' temperatures to track ovulation cycles. The course also outlines health routines to maintain and improve fertility. In addition, causes of male infertility are discussed.
- Breast Anatomy and Mammography Course: This class teaches professionals to perform effective mammography procedures and breast examinations. Basic anatomy and healthy breast structure are the first subjects covered, teaching all of the components of the breast. Students learn to recognize benign and malignant lesions, inflammations and signs of other pathologies. They also develop and promote regular examination schedules for patients.
- Fetal Monitoring Course: In this course, students will learn to listen for and understand fetal heart rates, as well as common problems and recent trends in the field of obstetrics.
- Pregnancy Complications Course: This continuing education course familiarizes health professionals with complications that may occur during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes and bleeding. They learn how these conditions affect the mother and the fetus and how they can be managed in a clinical setting.
- Labor Induction Course: This course provides an overview of the pharmacological and mechanical methods used to induce labor and how they affect physiological functions. Students also discuss common reasons for labor induction and the ethical and social debates related to the procedure.
- Antepartum/Postpartum Care: The antepartum stage of pregnancy occurs just before childbirth, whereas the postpartum stage takes place just after childbirth. Courses in antepartum/postpartum care provide information on how to care for a person who is preparing to give birth to a child and who has just given birth to a child.
- Women's Health: Women's health courses cover a variety of topics ranging from female anatomy and reproduction to health problems that are more likely to affect women or that affect women differently than men. These courses are essential for individuals who want to provide informed healthcare to female patients.
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Program Information
OBGYN online classes may be part of academic programs that lead to certificates or degrees, such as the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. They may also be offered as stand-alone courses for continuing education or certification purposes. Some OBGYN courses can be completed totally online, while other hybrid classes require in-person attendance for laboratory work in addition to online participation. Requirements beyond an up-to-date computer and Internet access may include high-quality printers, which can be useful to reproduce and transmit images, drawings and anatomical studies.
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For aspiring and experienced health professionals who want to learn about obstetrics and gynecology, there are online undergraduate degree programs that include relevant coursework, as well as continuing education courses in specialized OBGYN related subjects.



