STRENGTHENING RESEARCH IN DEPARTMENTS OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

1. The success rate for members of departments of obstetrics and gynec ology who apply to the National Institute of Child Health and Human De velopment is as good or better than for all applicants to that institu te. The number of applications per faculty member, however, has declin ed by 54% for MD faculty and 48% for PhD faculty in the period 1993-19 95 compared with 1984-1986. 2. The Society for the Advancement of Wome n's Health Research should be approached with a view to establishing n ational fellowships to support undergraduate and medical students duri ng a research experience in laboratories in departments of obstetrics and gynecology. 3. A committee made up of members of the Society for G ynecologic Investigation Council and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology should be constituted to restructure residency training in our specialty. Training should consist of 2-3 years of core obstet rics and gynecology, followed by clinical subspecialty training of 2-3 years. Individuals who wish an academic career will then be able to d evote an additional 2-3 years full-time to laboratory, patient-oriente d, or epidemiologic research. 4. Departments that strive for a researc h orientation should create a division of reproductive biology with a full voice in executive decisions within the department. Copyright (C) 1997 by the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.