abstract: Genetic Considerations for a Woman's Annual Gynaecological Examination - Obstet Gynaecol Can.

Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2012 Mar;34(3):276-84.

Genetic Considerations for a Woman's Annual Gynaecological Examination.

Source

Calgary AB.

Abstract

Objective: 
To provide the physician with an overview of common genetic conditions that should be considered during a women's annual gynaecological assessment to determine the patient's risk or to initiate specific testing or referral to another subspecialty service, depending on personal or family history.

Options: 
This genetic information can be used for patient education and possible disease and/or mutation screening or diagnosis.

Outcomes: 
The use of this genetic information may allow improved risk-benefit assessment and management at the annual gynaecological examination.

Evidence:
Studies published in English up to and including May 2010 were retrieved through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library, using appropriate controlled vocabulary (gynaecological diagnosis, genetic inheritance) and key words (genetic risk, genetic mutation, inheritance, family history, uterus, ovary, endometrial, vagina, colon, gastric, renal, breast, cardiac, thrombophilia, diabetes, epilepsy, leiomyomata uteri). Other literature sources were identified through searching the web sites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.

Values:
The levels of evidence are not adequate for evidence-based recommendations to be made.

Benefits, harms, and costs: 
This committee opinion will enhance the use of new genetic knowledge and its application to the annual gynaecological care of women. Risk management and diagnostic opportunities for genetic gynaecological conditions will be improved. A more complete understanding of genetic conditions may increase anxiety and psychological stress for women and their families.

Sponsors: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

Recommendations 
The levels of evidence are not adequate for evidence-based recommendations to be made.

Establishing specialty jurisdictions in medicine: the case of American obstetrics and gynaecology 2011 - Sociology of Health & Illness

Abstract

The profession of medicine has evolved into an extremely specialised occupation.

Yet, recent research has neglected the intra-occupational processes influencing medical specialisation.

This article aims to correct this oversight.

It develops an historical account of intra-occupational factors influencing the decision to establish gynaecologic oncology as American ob/gyn’s surgical subspecialty in 1972. Working within the framework initially developed by Everett C. Hughes and his students, the article examines this development as the outcome of a three-party relationship among gynaecologic oncologists, American ob/gyns, and gynaecologic pelvic surgeons.

Aggressive movement by the gynaecologic pelvic surgeons challenging the established élite’s identity definition for the ob/gyn specialty helped spur official recognition of gynaecologic oncology, a less threatening subspecialty. The article draws theoretical implications from the case regarding the role of a threatening other in influencing the specialisation process.

full free access- Women's Health - 21st European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology