Subspecialities
All specialty disciplines include active programs of instruction, patient care, and investigation. During each rotation, the resident becomes familiar with the particular disease spectrum, specialized diagnostic and therapeutic resources, and the important literature in the area. In addition, each sub-specialty requires an active role in consultation services.
Maternal Fetal Medicine
With three faculty members specializing in this area, and a fourth specializing in obstetrical ultrasound, Temple OB/GYN excels in its high-risk obstetrical care capability. State-of-the-art biophysical and biomedical monitoring in an intensive care-like unit, physically integrated with the labor and delivery suite, provides overwhelming opportunities for expert house staff training. Exposure to amniocentesis, percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, Level II ultrasound, and chorionic villus sampling is available to the house staff. A busy diabetes clinic and a genetic counselor in the Fetal Center round out the experience to which our OB residents are exposed.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology is located off-site and in an affiliate hospital. Our residents rotate for 20 weeks, of their four years of residency, to this affiliate hospital where they are immersed in the care of infertility patients. Under the supervision of a team of reproductive endocrinologists at this site, our residents are involved in the management of women with endocrine and infertility problems. They gain experience in gynecologic transvaginal ultrasound, intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization, among other things.
Oncology
An internationally known gynecologic oncologist heads this division. In addition to the private practice of the two full-time gynecologic oncologists, we have a large resident colposcopy/tumor clinic that counts with over 1,000 annual patient visits. While rotating through gynecologic oncology, the residents participate actively in the full range of procedures within the subspecialty. This includes radical pelvic and abdominal surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The residents will also become proficient in caring for patients with multiple complicating medical conditions. The division offers a weekly tumor board with pathology review. It also offers multiple opportunities for clinical research.
Gynecology
Gynecology at Temple is viewed essentially as a two-part section: standard gynecology and endoscopy. The first unit includes ample experience in the "bread-and-butter" medical and surgical cases that form the base of training. The second area has evolved at Temple into an exciting and innovative program of laparoscopy, pelviscopy, and hysteroscopy that reaches into all corners of diagnosis and therapy. Laser is used, where applicable, with the most modern equipment available.
Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
The Section of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery at Temple emphasizes the transvaginal surgical approach to female pelvic floor dysfunction. The residents while on the gynecology service are exposed to a large volume of complex pelvic floor reconstruction procedures.
Patients with urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and/or dysfunction are seen by faculty members of this section that include gynecologists and urologists.
Trained faculty in this section perform the urodynamic work-up and cystoscopy. Residents get the opportunity to train in these procedures during their gynecology rotation.
Reproductive Genetics
Scientific development in reproductive genetics has zoomed to the forefront of our specialty and now forms a vital element in the required background of the trained reproductive clinician. Temple is proud of its fulfillment in this section. One faculty member of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division is board-certified in genetics. A full range of genetic counseling is provided for patients in applicable situations.
Family Planning
Within this broad clinical experience, the house staff encounters challenges in family planning and participates in the assessment of newer modalities of fertility control, in addition to addressing psychosexual issues. The resident also observes innovative approaches of employment of para-professionals in delivering care to a large group of patients. The program is currently the largest medical school-based program caring for over 8,000 patients annually.
Ambulatory Care
The residents gain experience in a variety of office-patient problems and have ample opportunity to learn ambulatory care. This includes an active same-day surgery component.