Attitudes of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology Regarding the Structure of Residency Training.

OBJECTIVE: To measure future and current resident perspectives on obstetrics and gynecology residency training structure and possible future models. METHODS: Medical students invited for obstetrics and gynecology residency interviews and residents (postgraduate year [PGY]-1-4) at the University of Colorado, the University of Washington, the University of California San Francisco, Loyola University, Saint Joseph's Hospital, and Texas A&M in 2017-2018 received a voluntary, electronic survey regarding possible models for restructuring residency training. Student and resident responses were compared using χ test for categorical and two-sample t-test for continuous items. RESULTS: Applicants (63%, 280/444) and residents (66%, 101/153) had similar response rates (overall response rate 64%). Applicants (24%) and residents (29%) reported having concerns about the current structure of residency training. The ideal residency duration was reported as 4 years by 72% of applicants and 85% of residents. Lack of gynecologic surgical volume was the most frequently reported concern among applicants (75%) and residents (72%). Fourth-year tracking (focusing on training aligned with postgraduation career path) was preferred by 90% of applicants and 77% of residents (P=.002) and 92% among respondents planning fellowship. Most applicants (68%) and residents (75%) preferred not starting fellowship training after the 3rd year of residency. DISCUSSION: The majority of learners surveyed support a 4-year training structure but likewise support individualizing training in PGY-4. It is imperative that obstetrics and gynecology leadership consider this and other feedback from learners when considering modifications to the current training paradigm.

Career Expectations of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Future Residents.

OBJECTIVE: To understand contemporary fourth-year medical student and resident career expectations in obstetrics and gynecology. METHODS: Students invited for obstetrics and gynecology residency interviews and residents (postgraduate years 1-4) at the University of Colorado, University of Washington, University of California San Francisco, Loyola University, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Texas A&M in 2016-2017 received a voluntary, electronic survey regarding career expectations. Questions were compared between students and residents using a χ test for category responses and for age a two-sample t test. RESULTS: Response rates were similar between students (68% [277/409]) and residents (63% [97/153]). Residents compared with students were more frequently planning to enter private practice (43% vs 19%) and less frequently planning an academic career (19.4% vs 30.4%) or subspecialties (38% vs 51%) (P<.001). Although most respondents planned to work full-time (96% vs 94.9%), 83% (vs 94%) of residents planned to work greater than 40 hours per week (P<.001). Respondents reported greater than $150,000 in educational debt (65%) and anticipated starting salary greater than $200,000 (89%). More residents planned to retire by age 60 years (23% vs 7%) (P<.001). Thirty-eight percent of residents reported having changed career plans during residency, citing work-life balance as the most important factor (89%). DISCUSSION: Trainees' career expectations appear to evolve over time moving toward a higher likelihood to pursue private practice, work fewer hours, and retire earlier despite large educational debt. It is critical that the specialty understand these trends when planning to address national workforce needs.

Hyperglycemia down-regulates cGMP-dependent protein kinase I expression in first trimester cytotrophoblast cells.

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with microvascular complications and a higher incidence of preeclampsia. The regulatory signaling pathways involving nitric oxide, cGMP, and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) have been shown to be down-regulated under diabetic conditions and contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate how high glucose concentrations regulate PKG expression in cytotrophoblast cells (CTBs). Human CTBs (Sw. 71) were treated with 45, 135, 225, 495, or 945 mg/dL glucose for 48 h. Some cells were pretreated with a p38 inhibitor (10 µM SB203580) or 10 µM rosiglitazone. After treatment, the cell lysates were subjected to measure the expression of protein kinase G1α (PKG1α), protein kinase G1ß (PKG1ß), soluble guanylate cyclase 1α (sGC1α), and soluble guanylate cyclase 1 ß (sGC1ß) by Western blot. Statistical comparisons were performed using analysis of variance with Duncan's post hoc test. The expressions of PKG1α, PKG1ß, sGC1α, and sGC1ß were significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05) in CTBs treated with >135 mg/dL glucose compared to basal (45 mg/dL). The hyperglycemia-induced down-regulation of cGMP and cGMP-dependent PKG were attenuated by the SB203580 or rosiglitazone pretreatment. Exposure of CTBs to excess glucose down-regulates cGMP and cGMP-dependent PKG, contributing to the development of vascular complications in diabetic mothers during pregnancy. The attenuation of hyperglycemia-induced down-regulation of PKG proteins by SB203580 or rosiglitazone pretreatment further suggests the involvement of stress signaling mechanisms in this process.