Obstetrics and gynecology in the USSR.

Knowledge of Soviet obstetrics and gynecology has been mostly inaccessible to Western physicians. We share our experience regarding medical education and practice in the USSR. Medical education lasts 6 years and is followed by 2 years of postdoctorate training. Residency is limited to clinical obstetrics and gynecology. No formal subspecialty training exists. Research projects are funded and guided by the Health Ministry and Academy of Medical Science. Most articles are published in Russian and are therefore unknown to physicians in the West. Modern medical technology is not available in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Abortion remains the leading method of contraception. Perinatal and infant mortality in the USSR is higher than that in comparable Western countries.