Rotation Specific Overview

OBGYN rotations balance surgical and medical management, focusing on women's health across a broad spectrum from pregnancy to preventive care and gynecologic surgery. Challenges include adapting to the OR, labor and delivery dynamics, and acute obstetric emergencies. Mastery of obstetric and gynecological emergencies, reproductive physiology, prenatal care, contraception, and common surgical procedures will be key. Prioritize structured reviews of guidelines, surgical anatomy, and clinical algorithms.

 

Core Principles and Focus Areas

• Obstetric Care:

  • Master prenatal care (initial visit, prenatal screening, routine surveillance).

  • Understand normal labor and delivery, labor complications (preterm labor, PROM, PPROM, dystocia), fetal monitoring interpretation, and indications for operative deliveries (C-section, vacuum, forceps).

• Gynecologic Care and Preventive Health:

  • Familiarize yourself with routine women's health screenings (Pap smear guidelines, mammography, STI testing, HPV vaccination).

  • Know contraception options (mechanisms, side effects, contraindications), management of menstrual disorders, and menopause-related conditions.

• Gynecologic Oncology and Pathology:

  • Identify clinical presentations, initial evaluation, staging, and basic management of common gynecologic cancers (endometrial, cervical, ovarian).

  • Understand the evaluation and management of common benign conditions (fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis).

• Acute Gynecologic Conditions:

  • Recognize and manage emergent conditions like ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, PID, spontaneous abortion, and heavy uterine bleeding.

• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility:

  • Grasp basics of infertility evaluation, management of PCOS, amenorrhea, and other endocrine-related gynecologic issues.

• Surgical Gynecology Principles:

  • Understand pre-operative assessment, relevant pelvic anatomy, and post-operative management.

  • Familiarize yourself with common gynecologic procedures (hysterectomy, laparoscopy, D&C, cesarean section).

• Patient-Centered Communication:

  • Practice sensitive and effective communication for reproductive health, pregnancy, intimate exams, and culturally competent care.

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Core Resources (Resources, Links, and More Detailed Descriptions Listed Below) 

• UWorld/Amboss Qbanks – The cornerstones of practicing rotation-specific knowledge 

  • Approach questions systematically, identify key phrases and concepts, differentiate critical information from distractors, analyze all answer choices (why they’re right or wrong), and hypothesize how changes in the vignette could alter correct answers.

• American Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Videos 

  • Brief, high yield videos on common OBGYN presentations and treatments​

• APGO uWise Questions

  • ​Online question bank specifically designed for OBGYN clerkship students—ideal for targeted shelf preparation.

• Case Files: Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • ​​Excellent for practice questions, scenario-based learning, and real-world case discussions

• BRS/Blueprints/First Aid (Prep-book resources) 

  • Important resources for structured review to pair with practice questions and for diving deeper into material. ​

• NBME Practice Exams 

  • Pivotal for evaluating progress throughout the rotation. Target your first NBME for the mid-point of the rotation followed by a NBME every 1-1.5 weeks following​

 

Maximizing UWorld Effectiveness

• Active Learning: UWorld Notebook

  • Write down one or more key takeaways per question (new fact, forgotten detail, high-yield point).

    • Option: Convert notes into Anki flashcards for spaced repetition.

  • UWorld is for learning, NOT assessment – Read explanations in detail, even for correct answers.

• Question Block Strategies

  • Random Question, Timed Blocks = Best for self-assessment and tracking progress.

  • Subject-Specific, Tutor Mode Blocks = Useful for targeted content mastery. This should be the focus for the majority of your rotation

  • Quality > Quantity – A thoughtful review of a few questions beats rushing through many.

 

General Approach to Studying on the Wards

• Weekly Topics: Dedicate each week to core topics. Align these with your clinical rotations (L+D, clinic, gyn surg).

• Daily Integration/Practice: Allocate daily review sessions to UWorld practice questions and corresponding Anki reviews for spaced repetition. Recommended to break down the total number of Uworld questions for the rotation and schedule a set number a day that will put you on pace to finish by 1 week before the shelf exam. 

• Longitudinal Learning: Regularly revisit health maintenance guidelines and common clinical presentations throughout the rotation as patients present to the clinic/on the wards. 

• Pre-Clinic/Ward Preparation: Briefly review anticipated patient presentations or conditions prior to clinical encounters to enhance engagement and confidence.

• Post-Clinic Reflection: After clinical experiences, revisit related guidelines or resources (e.g., CDC vaccine schedule, obstetric visit schedule, pre-natal screenings) to deepen understanding of real-life application.