Why is a gynaecologist also an obstetrician ?
An obstetrician is a specialist doctor who delivers babies while a gynecologist is a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs. The word "gynaecology" comes from the Greek "gyno, gynaikos" meaning woman + "logia" meaning study, so gynaecology literally is the study of women. In modern medicine, gynaecology focuses on disorders of the female reproductive organs. An obstetrician / gynaecologist is thus a physician who both delivers babies and treats diseases of the female reproductive organs. A gynaecologist is also commonly known in the states as an OB/GYN. The word "obstetrics" has its roots in midwifery. The term obstetrics actually comes from obstetrix, the Latin word for midwife.
Is a gynaecologist a surgeon ?
For historical reasons gynaecologists were not usually considered "surgeons" but the rise of sub-specialties within gynaecology which are primarily surgical in nature (for example urogynaecology and gynaeoncology) have strengthened the reputations of gynaecologists as surgical practitioners .
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