Primary care for women: The role of the obstetrician-gynecologist

Obstetrician gynecologists (ob-gyn physicians) have always acted as primary care providers for women. Changes in health technology, patient expectations, managed and other health care formats, information access, and integrative approaches to health and illness have provided further impetus for continued and expanded involvement in this area of women's health. This article will summarize information about primary care, provide a brief overview of primary care in obstetrics-gynecology, outline major types of activities in primary care, and suggest guidelines for implementing a spectrum of primary care in the office.