Established September 1929 Founded September 1929 | President Dr David Richmond Phone +44 20 7772 6200 | |
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Address 27 Sussex Pl, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RG, UK Motto Super Ardua (Let us overcome our difficulties) Similar Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Physician, Royal College of Surgeons, Royal College of Physician, London School of Hygiene Profiles | ||
Leading safe choices a programme from the royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists
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, that is, pregnancy, childbirth, and female sexual and reproductive health. RCOG is dedicated to "improving sexual and reproductive enjoyment worldwide." The College has over 12,000 members in over 100 countries, over half of these reside outside of the United Kingdom.
Contents
- Leading safe choices a programme from the royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists
- History
- Core activities and responsibilities
- Examinations
- Members and Fellows
- Journals
- References
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. 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. 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. The College examines and evaluates other researchers' results, as in the 1999 claim that coffee could cause miscarriage, which they found to be unsupported, and the claimed connection between breast cancer and abortion, which RCOG also found unsupported.
RCOG has published many informational guides and studies, including thirty on contraception, twenty-four on pregnancy complications, and five on abortion. 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). In addition, the College publishes books ranging from biographies of significant people in the profession, to textbooks for trainees, to results of research.
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).
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 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).
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. 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.