A breast clinic in a department of obstetrics and gynecology

In 1988, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of S outhern California School of Medicine; created its own Breast Diagnostic Ce nter for training resident physicians and providing breast care for outpati ents and inpatients of Women's and Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, Califo rnia. The structure and function of the Breast Diagnostic Center allow resi dents to be directly involved in and responsible for evaluation and care of benign breast problems and allow comprehensive breast-care education and i ntegration of referral breast services for residents and patients. Direct f aculty supervision, uniform history and physical records on printed forms, fine-needle aspirations and breast biopsies, and staff assistance with foll ow-up and patient tracking maximize resident physician education and experi ence. This departmental approach to resident physician training in breast c are can be adapted to the resources and logistics of any department of obst etrics and gynecology. (Obstet Gynecol 1999;93:1044-8. (C) 1999 by The Amer ican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).