Identifying Gaps in Obstetrics and Gynecology Education: Insights From Clinical Vignettes

Introduction Obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) is a diverse specialty encompassing primary care, surgical procedures, and multiple subspecialties. Medical students may have limited understanding of its scope, particularly as clinical practice and available subspecialties vary across institutions. Methods A cross-sectional survey consisting of 12 clinical vignettes was administered to medical students at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School. Respondents provided demographic data, indicated their specialty of interest, and reported prior exposure to Ob/Gyn. For each vignette, students selected the specialty they believed most appropriate for patient management. Results Seventy-four responses were analyzed (70.3% female, 29.7% male). Among participants, 21.6% expressed interest in pursuing Ob/Gyn, and 68.9% reported prior exposure. Ob/Gyn was most frequently selected for women's gynecologic health screenings (66.2%), fertility planning (97.3%), and evaluation of vulvar lesions causing dyspareunia (87.8%). It was less frequently chosen for ovarian torsion (37.8%), urinary incontinence (35.1%), and LGBTQ+ health (6.8%). Conclusion Medical students demonstrated adequate understanding of Ob/Gyn's role in fertility planning, Pap smear screening, and management of dyspareunia but showed knowledge gaps regarding gynecologic emergencies, urinary incontinence, gynecologic malignancy, and LGBTQ+ health. Early clinical mentorship, targeted didactic content, and simulation-based learning may help improve understanding of the scope of Ob/Gyn practice.