Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Motto Super Ardua (Let us overcome our difficulties)
Established September 1929
Address 27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RG, London, United Kingdom
President Dr David Richmond
Website http://www.rcog.org.uk

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is a professional association based in the UK. Its members, including people with and without medical degrees, work in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology,[1] that is, pregnancy, childbirth, and female sexual and reproductive health. RCOG is dedicated to "improving sexual and reproductive enjoyment worldwide."[2] The College has over 12,000 members in over 100 countries, over half of these reside outside of the United Kingdom.[3]

The college's primary object is given as "The encouragement of the study and the advancement of the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology", although its governing documents impose no specific restrictions on its operation.[4] Its offices are near Regent's Park in central London.

History

Founded as the British College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in September 1929 by Professor William Blair-Bell and Sir William Fletcher Shaw, RCOG was granted a Royal Charter on 21 March 1947.[5] For the first three years, the office work was done from 20, St John Street, Manchester. In 1932, the office was shifted to London at 58, Queen Anne Street. The building was officially opened by the Duchess of York on December 5, 1932. With continuing expansion of the college activities, it had outgrown the Queen Anne Street premises and a decision was made in 1952 to move to larger premises.

The college moved to the present premises at 27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park in July 1960. The new building was formally opened by Her Majesty on the 13th of July.

Core activities and responsibilities

The College promotes standards of care in obstetrics and gynaecology by a programme of research, publication, and review. Areas of prenatal studies have included the effect of obesity of the expectant mother on frequency of birth defects.[6] The College examines and evaluates other researchers' results, as in the 1999 claim that coffee could cause miscarriage, which they found to be unsupported,[7] and the claimed connection between breast cancer and abortion, which RCOG also found unsupported.[8]

RCOG has published many informational guides and studies, including thirty on contraception, twenty-four on pregnancy complications, and five on abortion.[9] Other topics covered include cancer, breastfeeding, diabetes in pregnancy, and neonatology (resuscitation of the newborn, in which skill RCOG recommends that all professionals present at the time of birth are proficient).[10] In addition, the College publishes books ranging from biographies of significant people in the profession, to textbooks for trainees, to results of research.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists headquarters in London

Examinations

The RCOG is responsible for developing the framework and curriculum of post graduate training in obsteterics and gynaecology in the United Kingdom. It conducts two principal examinations: the Membership examination (MRCOG) and the Diploma examination (DRCOG). The DRCOG examination is aimed at doctors, and especially General Practitioners, who wish to certificate their knowledge and interest in obsteterics and gynaecology. The Membership examination, which were first held in 1931, is intended for those who wish to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology. The exam is a two-part examination, the Part 1 MRCOG is a written examination to evaluate basic and clinical sciences relevant to the subject and the Part 2 consists of separate written and clinical sections (OSCEs).[11]

Members and Fellows

Members use the designatory letters MRCOG. Membership is awarded at a meeting of Council to those who have passed all parts of the Membership examination.

The award of the Fellowship is a mark of senior status and does not indicate completion of training. They are elected from the those who have been Members for at least 12 years. Fellows use the designatory letters FRCOG. Fellowship can also be awarded to those who are not been Members of the college, but have either contributed significantly to the advancement of the specialty (Fellows ad eundem); demonstrated exemplary work in the specialty (Fellows honoris causa) or distinguished people outside the medical profession (Honorary Fellows).[12]

Journals

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

BJOG is an editorially independent peer reviewed journal owned by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists publishing work in all areas of obstetrics and gynaecology, including contraception, urogynaecology, fertility, oncology and clinical practice. It is one of the most widely read journals in obstetrics and gynaecology. It had an Impact Factor of 3.437 and ISI Journal Citation Reports Ranking of 6/70 (Gynaecology) in 2009.[13] BJOG also release podcasts.

The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

TOG is the journal for continuing professional development from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The journal is known for its reviews and clinical governance articles.

See also

References

  1. ↑ RCOG, "Summary of Membership Categories". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  2. ↑ RCOG, "International Office Strategy." Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  3. ↑ RCOG, "Annual Review 2008/2009". Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  4. ↑ RCOG, "Annual Report and Accounts" (2005-12-31). Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  5. ↑ Privy Council web site. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  6. ↑ Birth defects more common with fat mothers The Telegraph Retrieved 2007-08-25
  7. ↑ Caffeine blamed for miscarriages BBC Retrieved 2007-08-25
  8. ↑ About abortion care: what you need to know Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Retrieved 2007-08-25
  9. ↑ RCOG, RCOG Publishing Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  10. ↑ RCOG, Training and Maintenance of Skills for Professionals Responsible for Resuscitation of Babies at Birth Retrieved 2007-08-25
  11. ↑ RCOG, Retrieved 2010-09-04
  12. ↑ RCOG, Retrieved 2010-09-04
  13. ↑ "BJOG". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
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