Subspecialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Is It Affecting the Future Availability of Women's Health Specialists?

The growth in the number of obstetrics and gynecology resident graduates pursuing fellowships has exceeded growth in the number of resident graduates, because more fellowship programs are being developed in more subspecialties rather than additional residency programs. Approximately 1 in 4 residents pursues subspecialty training, compared with 1 in 12 in 2001. The number of fellowships remains competitive, because nearly all programs fill their match and the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions. Graduating residents who serve as frontline women's health specialists need to serve as leaders of interprofessional teams to better serve their patients, especially in underserved areas.